Jesus
walks on the water
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"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven." --Saint Pope Pius X
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INDEX: |
Jesus heals the sick |
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"Let
not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."
Words of Jesus-- John 14:1 |
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MASS READINGS FOR TODAY
April 17th
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Reading I
Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to
grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called
together the community of the disciples and said, It is not right for us to
neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you
seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall
appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the
ministry of the word. The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a
convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and
laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of
the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests
were becoming obedient to the faith.
Responsorial Psalm
33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be
on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Christ is risen, who
made all things; he has shown mercy on all people. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 6:16-21
When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus
went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to
Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had
rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and
coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, It
is I. Do not be afraid. They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat
immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
_________
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SOURCE:
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"At the evening of life, you will be examined in love. Learn to love as God desires to be loved and abandon your own ways of acting." --- Saint John of the Cross |
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SAINT FOR TODAY OR FEAST DAY
 SAINT
BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS,
(SOEUR MARIE BERNARD)
(18441879)
[BUTLER'S LIVES
OF THE FATHERS, MARTYRS AND OTHER PRINCIPAL SAINTS, SUPPLEMENTARY
VOLUME, BY REV. BERNARD KELLY F.R. HIST.SOC., NIHIL OBSTAT: EDUARDUS
MAHONEY, S.T.D., FIRST EDITION, 1928]
APRIL 16TH
LOURDES, which is now probably a household
name all over the civilized world, was a somewhat obscure country town of France
near the Pyrenees, down to the middle of the last century, though the place was
not without its history. Roman and Saracenic remains proclaimed its antiquity
and importance, and during the horrifying wars of religion in France, Leaguers
and Huguenots had more than once contended fiercely for its possession. The
natural beauty of the surroundings, too, made it a favourite resort for tourists
and " trippers," brought hither in the char-a-bancs, that very practical French
vehicle of the Thirties, which Louis Philippe made known in this country when he
gave a fine specimen to Queen Victoria as a souvenir of his visit in 1844. Among
the six thousand inhabitants of Lourdes that same year, was a miller and his
family, named Soubirous. Francois Soubirous had received the mill as part of the
" dot " of his wife, Louise Casterot, but bad managementa very rare fault in
France !soon brought the business to ruin, and husband, wife and little ones
had to leave the commodious mill-house and make their abode in a building in the
Rue des Petits-fosses, once used as the local prison, and still at that time
generally known as " the lock-up " (le cachet !). Bernadette, the eldest child
of the marriage of this ill-starred pair, was born 7th January, 1844, and
baptized the next day, receiving the name of Marie Bernard, later abridged to
Bernadette. She was not a strong child, for early in life, asthma and other
troubles manifested themselves, but notwithstanding all this, she was very
cheerful and lively. In fact, she cared for nothing or anybody as the saying is,
and was entirely free from any kind of conceit or tendency to pose. It is very
important to bear these facts in mind, as, of course, had it not been so, the
future events which have made her history so wonderful would no doubt have been
ascribed either to subtle artifice or to the " unnatural state of mind " of a
sickly child given to dwelling on the preternatural ! Towards the end of 1857,
she went to live with a family at Bartres, named Aravant, where she was employed
in the healthy, if rather monotonous, occupation of a shepherdess. While there,
she was instructed in the Catechism by the local Cure, an old man, who, it is
said, wished to leave his parish to join the Benedictines. Bernadette was not
happy at Bartres. She yearned for her home in the " Cachot," and in January,
1858, she had her wish, going back to Lourdes, where she continued her
preparation for her first Holy Communion. A few days after the little girl
returned, she went with her little sister, Toinette, and a girl friend, named
Jeanne Abardie, to gather sticks on the banks of the Gave. All of a sudden,
Bernadette, while intent on this
 necessary but prosaic work, heard a noise like
that of a gust of wind, and looking up saw in the grotto of the rock opposite, a
lady dressed in white. The child was frightened, as she afterwards said. She
tried to say her rosary, but could not make the sign of the Cross till after one
or two attempts, when she succeeded. Then fear passed from her and the saying of
the rosary went forward easily. Meantime she observed carefully the dress and
appearance of " the Lady." It was white, with a veil covering head, shoulders
and arms. The sash was blue and there were yellow roses on the feet. The figure
was surrounded with light. On Sunday, 14th February, Bernadette again went to
the grotto, accompanied by some of her girl friends. She had spoken of the
supposed apparition to her mother, who made light of it as a mere natural
occurrence. On the fourteenth, the vision came again, and only with difficulty
could Bernadette, who appeared " smiling and beautiful," be got away from the
spot by some of the neighbours who had been called to the place by the children,
who, alarmed at the long absence of their companion, had gone off to get help.
From this time till 18th July, of the same year, some eighteen apparitions took
place and then the manifestations ceased. Meantime, the reports of these
extraordinary occurrences caused the greatest excitement in the district. The
local priest, the Abbe Pomian, as well as the nuns of the Convent who had
instructed Bernadette for her first Communion, were long quite incredulous. Some
pious persons thought the " Petito Damizelo," as Bernadette, in the patois of
the districtone bordering on the Pyreneesalways styled the figure of the
apparitions, might be the soul of a girl friend of the child who had recently
died, and of course, most people regarded the affair as " hallucination ! " Not
only that, but the general excitement was causing large crowds to assemble
almost daily near the grotto, and under the Second Empire, the Government of
Napoleon III did not favour these demonstrations. They were too often the
prelude of those anti-dynastic and anti-law and order enzeutes, which meant "
barricades," and pitched battles with the military. The grotto was carefully
searched by the police to discover any evidences of " trickery," and persons
were forbidden to enter it. Bernadette herself was closely examined, both by the
local Commissary and the Imperial Prosecutor, but her replies were always
humble, straightforward and entirely free from the slightest trace of vanity or
love of notoriety. The gist of these communications was that the vision she had
seen in the grotto of the rock " Massabielle," was that of a young lady "
lovelier than I have ever seen " ; also that she, Bernadette, was bidden to
drink of a mysterious fountain in the grotto, which, before unknown, began to
gush forth from that time, and that she was to tell the clergy that a Chapel was
to be built on the spot and processions made to the place Bernadette frequently
fell into ecstasy during these visions, but after one of them, she addressed the
following question to the apparition, three times : " Madame, will you have the
goodness to tell me who you are ? " At the third request the Lady raised her
eyes and said : " Que soi era Immaculado Concepcion "--I am the Immaculate
Conception.
The temporary closing of
the grotto, which was done by order of the Prefect of Tarbes, Baron Massey, was
not in consequence of any really untoward incident, though there had been a
certain amount of tumult now and then, and, of course, some claims to
supernatural manifestations made by a few neurotic and excitable persons. The
closing of the place was on the ground that the spring that had suddenly sprung
up, was a medicinal one, and, therefore, ipso facto, Government property. Upon
analysis, however, the water was proved to have no special medicinal or chemical
properties whatever, and by a decree of Napoleon III the place was again opened
to the publicpious and the reverse.
On 17th November, 1858,
Bernadette was again subjected to an inquiry, and this time before the
Commission authorized by the Bishop of Tarbes, Mgr. Lawrence. Her replies, as
usual, were perfectly honest and simple, and without any ulterior motive. After
four years of due consideration of all the facts and circumstances of the cases,
the Bishop of Tarbes officially declared that the alleged apparitions had all
the " appearances of truth, and that the faithful were justified in believing in
them."
From 1858 to 186o,
Bernadette lived on with her family, but in the latter year the Cure of Lourdes
and the Mayor, M. Lacade, considered it best for her to go and reside with the
Sisters of Nevers, and so avoid the very undesirable public curiosity and
attention her extraordinary experiences had evoked. At first, Bernadette simply
lived in the Convent as a sort of boarder, but in 1864 she was accepted at her
own urgent request, supported by the warm approval of the Bishop of the diocese,
as a prospective postulant of the Convent of her retreat. Her bad state of
health, however, delayed her reception two years, and it was not until 4th July,
1866, that she actually entered as a postulant at Nevers. Meanwhile, she had
returned to her family at Lourdes, where she continued to follow as far as
possible the rule of her future life in religion.
The Congregation of her
choice" The Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction of Nevers "had been
founded in 168o by Dom Jean Baptiste de Lavergne, O.S.B., for the care of the
sick and the education of the young. The Rev. Mother, when Bernadette entered,
was Mere Josephine Imbert, a religious of great holiness and prudence. She
wisely caused the interesting novice to describe simply, but fully, to the
community her experiences at the grotto, and then forbade the subject to be
discussed again. During the thirteen years of her life as a Sister of the
Convent, Sceur Marie Bernard, as Bernadette now was, practised the virtues of
self-effacement and mortification to a wonderful extent. When once a new-corner
to the Convent, who had expected to see in the famous Sister something "
seraphic," but who saw nothing extraordinary, and who, in an outburst of
disappointment, could not help exclaiming : " Just fancy ! only that ! " Sister
Marie Bernard, who, like the St Cure d'Ars on a similar occasion, greatly
enjoyed the whole incident, replied laughingly: " Yes, only that ! " After eight
years of devoted service in the infirmary attached to the Convent, Sister Marie
Bernard, in view of her rapidly declining health, was given charge of the
Sacristy. A favourite ejaculatory prayer with her was, " My soul, rejoice that
you resemble Jesus in remaining hidden in your weakness." During the winter of
1877, her old trouble, asthma, increased, and to this was now added spitting of
blood and an abscess in the right knee. On 22nd September, 1878, she made her
perpetual vows, and on the 28th March following, received the last Sacraments.
She publicly asked pardon of the Community for any faults she might have
committed, and on the Wednesday of Easter week, i 6th April, 1879, calmly
expired, while appropriately repeating the last part of the " Hail Mary."
Her body, which remained
flexible four days after her death, was interred in the Chapel of St Joseph
within the Mother House at Nevers. Her cause was introduced at Rome, 5th August,
1913, and on the 13th of the same month, the decree was ratified by the Pope
(Pius X). The Ven. Sceur Marie Bernard was declared Blessed June 14, 1925. Ever
since ecclesiastical sanction was given to the public demonstrations of devotion
at Lourdes in 1862, the reputation of the place as a Sanctuary of Catholic-ism,
has increased with phenomenal rapidity, till today, the Shrine is easily the
most popular with the faithful as a place of pilgrimage. The fame of the humble
peasant girl, Bernadette, has far eclipsed that of Bernadotte, who alone of all
Napoleon's mighty Captains retained the throne that was the guerdon of his
genius, and whose family is still the reigning house of Sweden.
In 1873, the great national
French pilgrimages were commenced, and three years later the splendid basilica
at Lourdes was completed, and the Statue of Our Lady therein solemnly blessed.
The second Church, that at the foot of the former was commenced in 1883 and
completed in 1901, as the Church of the Rosary. The Feast of Notre Dame de
Lourdes, 11th February, was extended by Pius X to the whole Church (1907), and
Lourdes itself is now a separate diocese. The pilgrims to the shrine probably
exceed a million a year, while it has been officially recorded that about four
thousand persons have been cured there of diseases regarded by medical science
as " hopeless." A board of physicians, some of them not Catholics, or even
believers, certify the cases as not likely to be cured by medical means before
the fact is accepted, and no patient suffering from a mental or nervous disorder
is entered in the recorded lists of persons believed to have been supernaturally
restored to health as the result of a devotional pilgrimage to the world-famed
grotto.
Bernadette was
beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI (r. 1922-1939).
[Blessed Bernadette Soubirous, by Abbe J.
Blazy. Translated by the Right Rev. Mgr. Charles Payne, Vicar-General of
Nottingham. With an Introduction by His Lordship the Bishop of Nottingham.
(London: Burns Oates & Wash-bourne, Ltd., 1926).]
INCORRUPT BODY OF SAINT BERNADETTE
A PRAYER TO
SAINT BERNADETTE
St. Bernadette, little shepherdess of Lourdes
favoured with eighteen apparitions
of the Immaculate Virgin Mary
and with the privilege of lovingly conversing with her,
now that you are eternally enjoying the entrancing beauty
of the Immaculate Mother of God,
do not forsake me your devoted client,
who am still in the valley of tears.
[State your prayer request]
Intercede for me that I too,
may walk the simple paths of faith.
Help me to imitate your example,
at our heavenly Queens request,
by saying the Rosary daily
and by doing penance for sinners.
Teach me to imitate your wonderful devotedness to God
and Our Lady the Immaculate Conception
so that like you,
I may be blessed with the grace of lasting faithfulness
and enjoy the happiness in heaven
of the eternal vision of God the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
________________
PRAYER REQUEST: Saint Peter Gonzales,
pray for the welfare of the Catholic Church and all Christians
today and for my request [state your prayer request.]
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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.
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Universal Treasurer of Gods 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.
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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
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.
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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.
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Our Lady of the Rosary |
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Our
Lady of Victory, Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of the Most Holy
Rosary |
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Venerated in |
Roman
Catholic Church |
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Major
shrine |
Our Lady of
Victory Basilica,
Basilica of
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Paris |
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Feast |
October 7 |
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Attributes |
Blessed
Virgin Mary,
Infant Jesus,
crown,
rosary |
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Patronage |
Rosary,
Roman Catholic
Diocese of Malaga,
Toledo,
Rosario, Santa Fe,
Melilla,
Trujillo, Cαceres,
Colombia,
Manizales,
Puyo, Pastaza,
North Carolina,
Bohol,
Guatemala,
Surigao del Norte,
Manila,
Quezon City,
West Virginia,
Seseρa,
Ontνgola,
Olνas del Rey,
Montearagσn, Toledo,
Lagartera,
Huerta de
Valdecarαbanos,
Brenes |
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary,
also known as
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary,
is a title of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
in relation to the
Rosary.
The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on October 7, the anniversary of the
decisive victory of the combined Christian fleet in 1571 at the
Battle of Lepanto,
defeating an Ottoman fleet off western Greece. It was formerly sometimes
known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
According to
Dominican tradition, in 1214,
St. Dominic
was in
Prouille,
France attempting to convert the
Albigensians
back to the Catholic faith. The young priest had little success until one day he
received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool
against heretics.[1]
While Mary's giving the rosary to St. Dominic is generally acknowledged as a
legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St.
Dominic, including the 15th century priest and teacher,
Alanus de Rupe.[2]
On December 3,
1836, Fr. Charles Elιonor des Genettes had an interior locution directing him to
dedicate the parish of Our Lady of Victory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3]
In 1987,
during the civil war with the anti-clerical
Sandinista
government in
Nicaragua,
sacristan Bernardo Martinez reported seeing an apparition of Our Lady who urged
him to pray the rosary and work for peace. One of the appearances was in the
parish church of Our Lady of Victories near
Cuapa.
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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.Ή 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,Ή- " 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. T he
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."Ή 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,Ή 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. BernardΉ 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.'Ή 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?"Ή 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. "Ή
(1) Exod. xxiii. 20,
&c.
_______________
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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
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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:
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.
-
THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON.
(St. Luke II, 34, 35)
-
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
(St. Matthew II, 13-14)
-
THE LOSS OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.
(St. Luke II, 43-45)
-
THE MEETING OF JESUS AND MARY ON THE WAY OF THE CROSS.
-
THE CRUCIFIXION.
-
THE TAKING DOWN OF THE BODY OF JESUS FROM THE CROSS.
-
THE BURIAL OF JESUS.
(John 19: 38-42)
- I will grant peace to their families.
- They will be englightened about the divine mysteries.
- I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
- I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
- I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
- I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
- I have obtained(This Grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from the earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY
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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
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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.
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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.
__________ PRAYER
TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARYHeart 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.
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 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.
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INTERCESSORY PRAYER: SAINT ANTHONY, PLEASE PRAY FOR [STATE YOUR PRAYER
REQUEST.] |
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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. |
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 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 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.
"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." |
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WORLD-WIDE REPENTANCE IS REQUIRED:
The Bible says:
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Abortion was the number one cause of human death worldwide in 2019 by far, with over 42 million killed. "There have been 42.4 million abortions in 2019 as of December 31st, according to Worldometers, an organization that keeps a running tally of major world statistics and was recognized as one of the best free reference websites by the American Library Association (ALA). Worldometers calculates abortion numbers based on the latest statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO)."
The governments of the world need to outlaw abortion as soon as possible.
God will not overlook the immensity of this sin of abortion. The world must repent.
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The Most Reverend Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Titular Archbishop of Newport
Bishop Emeritus of Rochester
Archbishop Sheen on a set for one of his regular television programs
Church Catholic Church
Appointed October 21, 1966
Term ended October 6, 1969
Predecessor James Edward Kearney
Successor Joseph Lloyd Hogan
Other posts
Titular Archbishop of Neoportus (Latin: Newport, Wales; personal title, 19691979)
Auxiliary bishop of New York (19511966)
Titular bishop of Caesariana (19511966)
Orders
Ordination September 20, 1919
by Edmund M. Dunne
Consecration June 11, 1951
by Adeodato Giovanni Piazza
Personal details
Birth name Peter John Sheen
Born May 8, 1895[1]
El Paso, Illinois,[1] United States
Died December 9, 1979 (aged 84)
New York City, United States
Buried St. Patricks Cathedral, New York City (19792019)
St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois (since 2019)
Nationality American
Denomination Roman Catholic
Residence El Paso, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Minnesota
Washington, D.C.
Louvain, Belgium
Rome, Italy
London, UK
New York City
Rochester, New York
Occupation Catholic archbishop, and televangelist and radio host on philosophy and theology
Profession Catholic archbishop and evangelist
Alma mater
St. Viator College
St. Paul Seminary
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of Leuven
Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Motto Da per matrem me venire (English: Grant that I may come [to You] through the mother [Mary])
Signature Fulton J. Sheen's signature
Coat of arms Fulton J. Sheen's coat of arms
Sainthood
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church (especially in the United States sees of Peoria, Rochester, and New York City)
Title as Saint Venerable
Attributes Archbishop's attire
Shrines Tomb (presently in St. Mary's Cathedral, Peoria, Illinois; formerly in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City); birthplace museum in El Paso, Illinois; Fulton Sheen Museum in the Diocesan Museums, Spalding Pastoral Center, Peoria; papers held at a theology school near Rochester, New York)
Ordination history of
Fulton J. Sheen
History
Episcopal succession
Styles of
Fulton J. Sheen
Reference style The Most Reverend
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Your Excellency
Posthumous style Venerable
Fulton John Sheen (born Peter John Sheen, May 8, 1895 December 9, 1979) was an American bishop (later archbishop) of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in 1919,[1] Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America as well as acting as a parish priest before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966, when he was made the Bishop of Rochester. He resigned in 1969[2] as his 75th birthday approached, and was made the Archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as Father Sheen, later Monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (19301950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (19521957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (19611968) with a format very similar to that of the earlier Life is Worth Living show. For this work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time Magazine.[3] Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks.[4] Due to his contribution to televised preaching, Sheen is often referred to as one of the first televangelists.[5]
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues" a major step towards beatification and he is now referred to as "Venerable."[6][7] On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle that occurred through the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification.[8]
Contents
Miracle of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen:
Source: https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/07/01/fulton-sheen-and-the-miracle-of-baby-james/
Fulton Sheen and the miracle of baby James
Madeleine Teahan
1 July, 2014
Bonnie Engstrom with her son, James Below:
Bonnie Engstroms third pregnancy was unlike any of her others. My husband Travis and I had a really beautiful experience during the pregnancy with God providing for us and taking care of us, she tells me. We really felt like we were on the brink on something really special and amazing, even more than with the other babies. We would joke about how I must be pregnant with the future Pope because God was really faithful and generous with us throughout.
I spoke to Bonnie days before the Vatican announced that its theologians had approved the miracle that occurred in her life, after she sought the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the charismatic American televangelist who died in 1979.
Fulton Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, close to where Bonnie Engstrom was raised. He was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, where Bonnie, her husband and five children now live. Ive always kind of known who he was because he was a local boy, she explains when I ask how her devotion to Fulton Sheen developed. But when I was pregnant with James, I started doing some research into his life and I started watching YouTube videos. So that was how I really started to appreciate who he was. Listening to him preach and seeing how powerful and dynamic he was that was when my devotion to him started to grow.
Bonnies beautiful pregnancy, coloured by a deepening devotion to Sheen, was followed by a beautiful labour covered in prayer. Jamess pregnancy had been a really healthy and normal pregnancy and we were planning my third home birth with him. The day I went into labour was a pretty normal day so I just kind of did what you do when youre going to give birth. I have to say it was a really beautiful September evening and it felt really special. I was in active labour at night. I was praying, which was really important, and I knew that I had a bunch of people praying for me. It was a beautiful
labour. It really was.
It is especially cruel when tragedy strikes within seconds of euphoria. Moments after Jamess birth, the abundant joy of the previous nine months abruptly died: Bonnies baby was stillborn.
When James was born the midwife scooped him up and put him in my hands. But I noticed that his legs and arms dangled down. He wasnt moving. He wasnt breathing. He wasnt crying, he was kind of a blue colour. So I held him for a second and then my midwife took him and she began CPR.
It was at this point that Bonnie fell into a state shock. Her friend, who was present at the birth, called an ambulance and her husband calmly performed an emergency baptism. At the moment that Travis traced water on his sonΉs forehead and baptised him James Fulton, Bonnies friend began to pray for the intercession of the newbornΉs namesake.
At that moment, in my head I couldnt really think of anything, Bonnie says. But in my head I was saying Fulton Sheens name over and over again. And that was my way of praying by calling on his name.
By the time the paramedics arrived there was still no pulse. Bonnie spent the 20-minute journey to the hospital in a separate ambulance from her husband and baby, lying alone, unaware if her son was dead or alive.
Fulton
When they arrived at the hospital it was Traviss turn to endure a solitary, harrowing wait. He lingered outside the hospital emergency room while doctors desperately tried to resuscitate his baby.
Five men eventually emerged with tears in their eyes. They said to him: Your son is alive and Travis understood in that moment that what they were really saying was: Hes alive now but just for right now. The fact that they were crying meant that he knew that things were really bad.
But when he came to see me, what he said to me was: James is alive and everythings going to be OK, because he just had faith. My husband had faith. It was amazing. And because I was still in a state of shock I naοvely accepted it. My husband just had the faith in that moment.
The miraculous breath had come after 61 excruciating minutes. James had breathed again at the moment doctors gave up their efforts and stopped to record his time of death.
They then took me to the neonatal intensive care unit and then I saw how bad he looked. He was covered in wires and he wasnΉt breathing on his own. They had knocked him out. They had intubated him. Yeah, it was really
Bonnies voice begins to crack and she summons up the composure to complete the sentence:
it was really sad.
A small pause follows before she quietly adds: Its such a little word but I hope it conveys
She trails off again. It was really sad.
Bonnie starts to explain to me the full extent of the miracle. The way my doctor explained it to me was: Its amazing that James came back to life and itΉs a miracle that he is doing as well as he is.Ή Because he should have had massive organ failure and then they expected him to be very severely disabled. Then they thought that he would have very severe cerebral palsy. They thought that he would have to be strapped to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, have a feeding tube and probably be blind. They thought that mentally he would not be aware of anything. It was supposed to be pretty grim and that was if he even lived.
Bonnie was able to bring her baby home after seven weeks in hospital. As he continued I think they gave us an increasingly better prognosis. So it went from very severely disabled to: OK, so hes going to have cerebral palsy. We just donΉt know what it will look like. But he continued to get better and seemed more and more like a normal baby
I mean, there was always some big question marks for about the first six to 12 months just because he was a baby, so we had to wait for him to hit his milestones to know how complete the miracle was.
But my husband, and I and family and friends, were all at home interacting with James when he was two and a half months old, when he was five months old, and were sitting there thinking: This kid is normal. Hes like any of our other babies weΉve seen at this age. This really is a miracle.'
Bonnie still prays to Fulton Sheen and he remains a central figure in her familys life. I asked her what she most admired about him.
The day he was ordained he made a promise to God that he would keep a holy hour every single day for the rest of his life and he kept that promise, she says. So for over 60 years he made a holy hour every single day and that devotion to the Eucharist is really a wonderful example for me. I think it would be a wonderful example to the world, which is why I hope he is a canonised saint.
He would have to be really creative sometimes and he would find a church in the middle of nowhere to make that holy hour to keep that promise. He was really loyal to Christ and that prayer time meant a lot to him. His example is really beautiful to me.
Bonnie also tells me that Sheen heroically carried many burdens, but only confided them to very few people who have refused to speak about them since. When St John Paul II visited St Patricks Cathedral in New York City in 1979 he was surprised to discover Sheen was not concelebrating Mass. When Sheen was invited to come forward, the pope embraced him, telling him: You are a loyal son of the Church. Sheen died a few months later.
He suffered a lot, Bonnie says. But he never really talked about his suffering. Only the people closest to him knew about the pain in his body and the pain in his heart, and even they will not talk about it. Fulton Sheen didnΉt want to talk about it, because he didnΉt want to create scandal and feed gossip. ThatΉs just beautiful.
Nowadays if we have a problem with someone we write it on Facebook. But he really bore that internally. So when John Paul II sought him out and embraced him that was a really powerful moment.
I think it was two months later that he died so it was a really beautiful ending to his life, to have the Holy Father tell him: You are a faithful son of the Church. I mean, gosh, I would probably die too if Pope Francis said that to me.
PRAYER TO OBTAIN A FAVOR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD
ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN
Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession (mention your request). I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ,our Lord. Amen.
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OUR
LADY OF THE ROSARY
FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 7TH
HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE,
THE LORD
IS WITH THEE,
BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN,
AND BLESSED IS
THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS,
HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,
PRAY
FOR US SINNERS
NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
AMEN!
SEE SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S BOOK ON
THE ROSARY:
THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY
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 Elιonor des Genettes had an interior locution directing him to dedicate the parish of Our
Lady of Victory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3]
In 1987, during the civil war with the
anti-clerical Sandinista government in Nicaragua,
sacristan Bernardo Martinez reported seeing an apparition of Our Lady who urged
him to pray the rosary and work for peace. One of the appearances was in the
parish church of Our Lady of Victories near Cuapa.
CATHOLIC ENCYLOPEDIA:
Apart from the signal defeat of the Albigensian heretics at the battle of Muret in 1213 which legend has attributed to
the recitation of the Rosary by St. Dominic, it is believed that Heaven
has on many occasions rewarded the faith of those who had recourse to
this devotion in times of special danger. More particularly, the naval
victory of Lepanto gained by Don John of Austria over the Turkish fleet
on the first Sunday of October in 1571 responded wonderfully to the
processions made at Rome on that same day by the members of the Rosary
confraternity. St. Pius V thereupon ordered that a commemoration of the
Rosary should be made upon that day, and at the request of the Dominican
Order Gregory XIII in 1573 allowed this feast to be kept in all churches
which possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary. In 1671 the
observance of this festival was extended by Clement X to the whole of
Spain, and somewhat later Clement XI after the important victory over
the Turks gained by Prince Eugene on 6 August, 1716 (the feast of our
Lady of the Snows), at Peterwardein in Hungary, commanded the feast of
the Rosary to be celebrated by the universal Church. A set of "proper"
lessons in the second nocturn were conceded by Benedict XIII. Leo XIII
has since raised the feast to the rank of a double of the second class
and has added to the Litany of Loreto the invocation "Queen of the Most
Holy Rosary". On this feast, in every church in which the Rosary
confraternity has been duly erected, a plenary indulgence toties quoties is granted upon certain conditions to all who visit therein the Rosary
chapel or statue of Our Lady. This has been called the "Portiuncula" of
the Rosary.
 THE POWER AND THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM
PRAYING THE ROSARY
THE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF MARY TO CHRISTIANS WHO RECITE THE
ROSARY
These promises were given by the
Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan.
1.
Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall
receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and
the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy
vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause
virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant
mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the
world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal
things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the
rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary
devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries
shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His
justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he
shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal
life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall
not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are
faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their
death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment
of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in
paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been
devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary
shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall
obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All
those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their
necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the
advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial
court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who
recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus
Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of
predestination.
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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
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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. |
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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 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."
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:
"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."
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.
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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR TODAY
Introduction to the
Devout Life
Saint Francis of Sales Bishop and
Prince of Geneva
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Preface by the Author
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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.
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I.
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What True Devotion is . . . 1
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II.
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The Nature and Excellence of Devotion . . . 5
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III. |
Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession . . . 8
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IV. |
The Need of a Guide for those Who Would enter upon and advance in the Devout Life ...11 |
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V. |
The First Step must be Purifying the Soul . . . 15
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VI. |
The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin . . . 18
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VII. |
The Second Purification, from all Sinful Affections . . . 20
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VIII.
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How to effect this Second Purification . . . 22
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IX.
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First Meditation--Of Creation . . . 24
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X. |
Second Meditation--Of the End for which we were Created . . . 27
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XI.
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Third Meditation--Of the Gifts of God . . . 30
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XII. |
Fourth Meditation--On Sin . . . 32
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XIII.
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Fifth Meditation--On Death . . . 35
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XIV.
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Sixth Meditation--On Judgment . . . 38
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XV.
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Seventh Meditation--Of Hell . . . 41
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XVI.
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Eighth Meditation--On Paradise . . . 43
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XVII. |
Ninth Meditation On the Choice open to you between Heaven and Hell . . . 45
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XVIII.
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Tenth Meditation--How the Soul chooses the Devout Life . . . 48
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XIX.
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How to make a General Confession . . . 51
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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
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XXI.
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Conclusion of this First Purification . . . 56
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XXII. |
The Necessity of Purging away all tendency to Venial Sins . . . 57 |
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XXIII. |
It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things . . . 60
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XXIV. |
All Evil Inclinations must be purged away . . . 62
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CONTAINING SUNDRY COUNSELS AS TO UPLIFTING THE SOUL TO GOD IN PRAYER AND THE USE OF THE SACRAMENTS.
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I.
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The Necessity of Prayer . . . 64 |
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II.
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A short Method of Meditation. And first, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation . . . 68 |
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III.
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Invocation, the Second Point of Preparation . . . 72 |
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IV.
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The Third Point of Preparation, representing the Mystery to be meditated to your Imagination . . . 73 |
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V. |
Considerations, the Second Part of Meditation . . . 74 |
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VI.
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The Third Part of Meditation, Affections and Resolutions . . . 75 |
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VII. |
The Conclusion and Spiritual Bouquet . . . 77 |
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VIII.
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Some Useful Hints as to Meditation . . . 78 |
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IX.
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Concerning Dryness in Meditation . . . 81 |
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X.
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Morning Prayer . . . 83 |
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XI. |
Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience . . . 85 |
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XII. |
On Spiritual Retirement . . . 87 |
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XIII.
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Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer and Holy Thoughts . . . 90 |
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XIV. |
Of Holy Communion, and how to join in it . . . 98 |
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XV.
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Of the other Public Offices of the Church . . . 101 |
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XVI. |
How the Saints are united to us . . . 103 |
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XVII. |
How to Hear and Read God's Word . . . 105 |
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XVIII. |
How to receive Inspirations . . . 107 |
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XIX. |
On Confession . . . 111 |
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XX.
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Of Frequent Communion . . . 116 |
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XXI. |
How to Communicate . . . 120 |
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CONTAINING COUNSELS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE.
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I.
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How to select that which we should chiefly Practise . . . 124 |
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II.
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The same Subject continued . . . 131 |
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III. |
On Patience . . . 136 |
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IV. |
On Exterior Humility . . . 142 |
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V. |
On Interior Humility . . . 147 |
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VI.
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Humility makes us rejoice in our own Abjection . . . 153 |
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VII.
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How to combine due care for a Good Reputation with Humility . . . 158 |
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VIII. |
Gentleness towards others and Remedies against Anger . . . 163 |
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IX.
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On Gentleness towards Ourselves . . . 169 |
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X.
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We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety . . . 173 |
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XI.
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On Obedience . . . 176 |
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XII. |
On Purity . . . 180 |
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XIII. |
How to maintain Purity . . . 182 |
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XIV. |
On Poverty of Spirit amid Riches . . . 185 |
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XV. |
How to exercise real Poverty, although actually Rich . . . 188 |
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XVI. |
How to possess a rich Spirit amid real Poverty . . . 193 |
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XVII. |
On Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship . . . 196 |
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XVIII. |
On Frivolous Attachments . . . 198 |
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XIX. |
Of Real Friendship . . . 201 |
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XX. |
Of the Difference between True and False Friendship . . . 205 |
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XXI. |
Remedies against Evil Friendships . . . 208 |
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XXII. |
Further Advice concerning Intimacies . . . 212 |
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XXIII. |
On the Practice of Bodily Mortification . . . 215 |
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XXIV. |
Of Society and Solitude . . . 223 |
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XXV. |
On Modesty in Dress . . . 227 |
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XXVI. |
Of Conversation; and, first, how to Speak of God . . . 229 |
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XXVII. |
Of Unseemly Words, and the Respect due to Others . . . 231 |
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XXVIII. |
Of Hasty Judgments . . . 234 |
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XXIX. |
On Slander . . . 241 |
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XXX. |
Further Counsels as to Conversation . . . 249 |
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XXXI. |
Of Amusements and Recreations: what are allowable . . . 252 |
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XXXII. |
Of Forbidden Amusements . . . 254 |
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XXXIII. |
Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements . . . 255 |
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XXXIV. |
When to use such Amusements rightly . . . 259 |
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XXXV. |
We must be Faithful in Things Great and Small . . . 260 |
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XXXVI. |
Of a Well-balanced, Reasonable Mind . . . 264 |
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XXXVII. |
Of Wishes . . . 267 |
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XXXVIII. |
Counsels to Married People . . . 270 |
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XXXIX. |
The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed . . . 280 |
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XL. |
Counsels to Widows . . . 281 |
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XLI. |
One Word to Maidens . . . 289 |
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CONTAINING NEEDFUL COUNSELS CONCERNING SOME ORDINARY TEMPTATIONS.
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I. |
We must not trifle with the Words of worldly Wisdom . . . 290 |
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II. |
The need of a Good Courage . . . 294 |
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III. |
Of Temptations, and the difference between experiencing them and consenting to them . . . 296 |
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IV. |
Two striking illustrations of the same . . . 300
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V. |
Encouragement for the Tempted Soul . . . 302 |
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VI. |
When Temptation and Delectation are Sin . . . 304 |
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VII. |
Remedies for Great Occasions . . . 307 |
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VIII. |
How to resist Minor Temptations . . . 310 |
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IX. |
How to remedy Minor Temptations . . . 311 |
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X. |
How to strengthen the Heart against Temptation . . . 313 |
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XI. |
Anxiety of Mind . . . 315 |
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XII. |
Of Sadness and Sorrow . . . 319 |
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XIII. |
Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and how to receive them . . . 323 |
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XIV. |
Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness . . . 333 |
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XV. |
In Illustration . . . 340
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CONTAINING COUNSELS AND PRACTICES FOR RENEWING AND CONFIRMING THE SOUL IN DEVOTION.
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I. |
It is well yearly to renew Good Resolutions by means of the following Exercises . . . 346 |
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II. |
Meditation on the Benefit conferred on us by God in calling us to His Service . . . 348 |
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III. |
Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life . . . 351 |
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IV. |
Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards God . . . 354 |
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V. |
Examination of your Condition as regards yourself . . . 357 |
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VI. |
Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards our Neighbour . . . 358 |
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VII. |
Examination as to the Affections of the Soul . . . 359 |
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VIII. |
The Affections to be excited after such Examination . . . 361 |
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IX. |
Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions . . . 362 |
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X. |
First Consideration--Of the Worth of Souls . . . 363 |
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XI. |
Second Consideration--On the Excellence of Virtue . . . 364 |
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XII. |
The Example of the Saints . . . 366 |
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XIII. |
The Love which Jesus Christ bears to us . . . 367 |
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XIV. |
The Eternal Love of God for us . . . 369 |
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XV. |
General Affections which should result from these Considerations, and Conclusion of the Exercise . . . 370 |
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XVI. |
The Impressions which should remain after this Exercise . . . 372 |
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XVII. |
An Answer to Two Objections which may be made to this Book . . . 373 |
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XVIII. |
Three Important and Final Counsels . . . 375
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[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!
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BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH'S VISION:
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"At the evening of
life, you will be examined in love. Learn to love as God desires to be loved and
abandon your own ways of acting." ---Saint John of the Cross |
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PRAYERS FOR TODAY
THIRTY-THREE
PETITIONS IN HONOUR OF THE SACRED HUMANITY
OF OUR LORD JESUSO good Jesus, Word of the Eternal Father,
Convert me.
O good Jesus, Son of Mary,
Make me her child.
O good Jesus, My Master,
Teach me.
O good Jesus, Prince of peace,
Give me peace.
O good Jesus, my Refuge,
Receive me.
O good Jesus, my Pastor,
Feed my soul.
O good Jesus, Model of patience,
Comfort me.
O good Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Make my heart like unto Thine.
O good Jesus, my Redeemer,
Save me.
O good Jesus, my God and my All,
Possess me.
O good Jesus, the true Way,
Direct me.
O good Jesus, Eternal Truth,
Instruct me.
O good Jesus, Life of the blessed,
Make me live in Thee.
O good Jesus, my Support,
Strengthen me.
O good Jesus, my Justice,
Justify me.
O good Jesus, my Mediator,
Reconcile me to Thy Father.
O good Jesus, Physician of my soul,
Heal me.
O good Jesus, my Judge,
Absolve me.
O good Jesus, my King,
Govern me.
O good Jesus, my Sanctification,
Sanctify me.
O good Jesus, Abyss of goodness,
Pardon me.
O good Jesus, Living Bread from Heaven,
Satiate me.
O good Jesus, the Father of the prodigal,
Receive me.
O good Jesus, Joy of my soul,
Refresh me.
O good Jesus, my Helper,
Assist me.
O good Jesus, Magnet of love,
Attract me.
O good Jesus, my Protector,
Defend me.
O good Jesus, my Hope,
Sustain me.
O good Jesus, Object of my love,
Make me love Thee.
O good Jesus, Fountain of life,
Cleanse me.
O good Jesus, my Propitiation,
Purify me.
O good Jesus, my Last End,
Let me obtain Thee.
O good Jesus, my Glory,
Glorify me.
Amen.
V. Jesus, hear my prayer.
R. Jesus, graciously hear me.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said,
"Ask and you shall receive,
seek and you shall find,
knock and it shall be opened unto you,"
mercifully attend to our supplications,
and grant us the gift of Thy Divine charity,
that we may ever love Thee with our whole hearts,
and may never cease from praising Thee,
Who livest and reignest world without end.
R.
LITANY TO
SAINT JOSEPHLord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, pray for us
St. Joseph, pray for us
Blessed offspring of David, pray for us
Light of patriarchs, pray for us
Spouse of the mother of God, pray for us
Chaste custodian of the Blessed Virgin, pray for us
Guardian of the Son of God, pray for us
Defender of Christ, pray for us
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us
O Joseph, most just, pray for us
O Joseph, most chaste, pray for us
O Joseph, most prudent, pray for us
O Joseph, most forceful, pray for us
O Joseph, most obedient, pray for us
O Joseph, most faithful, pray for us
Mirror of patience, pray for us
Lover of poverty, pray for us
Model of laborers, pray for us
Patriarch of the home, pray for us
Protector of virgins, pray for us
Strength of the family, pray for us
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us
Hope of the sick, pray for us
Patron of the dying, pray for us
Terror of demons, pray for us
Protector of the church, pray for us
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, forgive us O Lord
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, through the merits of the devoted spouse
of your most holy Mother, help us, we beseech thee,
that what of ourselves we cannot obtain,
may be granted through the intercession
of the Most Holy Patriarch, Saint Joseph.
You who reign with God, the Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and forever.
Amen.
GAELIC LITANY TO OUR LADY
O Great Mary,
pray for us.
O Mary, greatest of Maries,
pray for us.
O Greatest of women,
pray for us.
O Queen of angels,
pray for us.
O Mistress of the heavens,
pray for us.
O Woman full and replete with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
pray for us.
O Blessed and most blessed,
pray for us.
O Mother of Eternal Glory,
pray for us.
O Mother of the heavenly and earthly Church,
pray for us.
O Mother of Love and Indulgence,
pray for us.
O Mother of the Golden Heights,
pray for us.
O Honor of the sky,
pray for us.
O Sign of tranquillity,
pray for us..
O Gate of Heaven,
pray for us.
O Golden Vessel,
pray for us.
O Couch of Love and Mercy,
pray for us.
O Temple of Divinity,
pray for us.
O Beauty of virgins,
pray for us.
O Mistress of the tribes,
pray for us.
O Fountain of gardens,
pray for us.
O Cleansing of sins,
pray for us.
O Purifying of souls,
pray for us.
O Mother of orphans,
pray for us.
O Breast of infants,
pray for us.
O Solace of the wretched,
pray for us.
O Star of the sea,
pray for us.
O Handmaid of the Lord,
pray for us.
O Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
O Resort of the Lord,
pray for us.
O Graceful like the dove,
pray for us.
O Serene like the moon,
pray for us.
O Resplendent like the sun,
pray for us.
O Cancelling Eve's disgrace,
pray for us.
O Regeneration of life,
pray for us.
O Beauty of women,
pray for us.
O Leader of virgins,
pray for us.
O Garden Enclosed,
pray for us.
O Fountain sealed up,
pray for us.
O Mother of God,
pray for us.
O Perpetual Virgin,
pray for us.
O Holy Virgin,
pray for us.
O Prudent Virgin,
pray for us.
O Serene Virgin,
pray for us.
O Chaste Virgin,
pray for us.
O Temple of the Living God,
pray for us.
O Royal Throne of the Eternal King,
pray for us.
O Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit,
pray for us.
O Virgin of the Root of Jesse,
pray for us.
O Cedar of Mount Lebanon,
pray for us.
O Cypress of Mount Sion,
pray for us.
O Crimson Rose of the Land of Jacob,
pray for us.
O Blooming like the palm tree,
pray for us.
O Fruitful like the olive tree,
pray for us.
O Glorious Son-bearer,
pray for us.
O Light of Nazareth,
pray for us.
O Glory of Jerusalem,
pray for us.
O Beauty of the world,
pray for us.
O Noblest-Born of the Christian flock,
pray for us.
O Queen of Life,
pray for us.
O Ladder of Heaven,
pray for us.
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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.
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
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FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 19TH
PETER, while still a youth, left his home at Alcantara in Spain, and entered a convent of Discalced Franciscans. He rose
quickly to high posts in the Order, but his thirst for penance was still
unappeased, and in 1539, being then forty years old, he founded the first
convent of the "Strict Observance." The cells of the friars resembled graves
rather than dwelling-places. That of St. Peter himself was four feet and a half
in length, so that he could never lie down ; he ate but once in three days; his
sackcloth habit and a cloak were his only garments, and he never covered his
head or feet. In the bitter winter he would open the door and window of his cell
that, by closing them again, he might experience some sensation of warmth.
Amongst those whom he trained to perfection was St. Teresa. He read her soul,
approved of her spirit of prayer, and strengthened her to carry out her reforms.
St. Peter died, with great joy, kneeling in prayer, October 18th, 1562, at the
age of sixty-three.
REFLECTION.-If men do not go about barefoot
now, nor under-go sharp penances, as St. Peter did, there are many ways of
trampling on the world; and our Lord teaches them when He finds the necessary
courage.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Saint
Teresa of Avila said concerning Saint Peter of Alcantara that, "The
Lord once told me that no one should ask Him for anything in his
name and not be heard."
Saint Peter of Alcantara, please
pray for us today [state your prayer request.] |
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POPE
FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR 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.
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 PRAYER
Queen of Heaven and earth,
most Holy Virgin,
we venerate thee.
Thou art the beloved daughter
of the Most High God,
the chosen
mother of the
Incarnate Word,
the immaculate spouse of
the Holy Spirit,
the sacred vessel of the
Most Holy Trinity.
O Mother of the Divine Redeemer,
who under the title of
Our
Lady of Good Remedy
comes to the aid of all
who call upon
thee,
extend thy maternal protection to us.
We depend on thee,
dear Mother,
as helpless and needy children
depend on a tender
and caring mother.
Pray the Hail Mary...
O Lady of Good Remedy,
source of
unfailing help,
grant that we may draw
from thy treasury of
graces
in our time of need.
Touch the hearts of sinners,
that they may seek
reconciliation and forgiveness.
Bring
comfort to
the afflicted and the lonely;
help the poor and the
hopeless;
aid the sick and the suffering.
May they be healed
in body
and strengthened in spirit
to endure their sufferings
with patient resignation
and Christian fortitude.
Pray the Hail Mary...
Dear Lady of Good Remedy,
source of
unfailing help,
thy compassionate heart knows a remedy
for
every affliction and misery
we encounter in life.
Help me with
thy prayers and intercession
to find a remedy for my problems and
needs,
especially for...
(Mention your personal
intention)
On my part,
O loving Mother,
I pledge myself to a more
intensely Christian lifestyle,
to a more careful observance of
the laws of God,
to be more conscientious
in fulfilling the
obligations of my state in life,
and to strive to be a source of
healing
in this broken world of ours.
Dear Lady of Good
Remedy,
be ever present to me,
and through thy intercession,
may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind,
and grow stronger
in the faith
and in the love of thy Son, Jesus.
Pray the Hail Mary...
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of Good Remedy,
R. That we may deepen our dedication to thy Son,
and make the world alive with His Spirit. |
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Unfailing
Novena To The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots
Prayer to Mary, Undoer of 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.
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AMERICAN WAR CASUALTIES
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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. |
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REVOLUTIONARY
WAR 25,324 |
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CIVIL WAR
496,332
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WORLD WAR I
116,708
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WORLD WAR II
407,316
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KOREAN
WAR 54,246
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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
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THE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF MARY TO CHRISTIANS WHO RECITE THE ROSARY
These promises were given by the Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and
Blessed Alan.
1.
Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary,
shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special
protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the
rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against
hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain
for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of
men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them
to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify
themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself
to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6.
Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the
consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by
misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not
perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the
grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever
shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the
sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite
the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light
of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they
shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9.
I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the
rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a
high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you
ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who
propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the
rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during
their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the
rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
________________
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Graces Derived from Going to Mass
(Note: Assisting at Mass simply means attending Mass.
By attending a Mass Catholics are actually assisting in Mass.)
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE PIETA PRAYER BOOKLET, Published in U.S.A. by MLOR Corporation, 1186 Burlington Drive,
Hickory Corners, MI 49060-9330:
1. The Mass is Calvary continued.
2. Every Mass is worth as much as the sacrifice of our Lord's life,
sufferings and death.
3. Holy Mass is the most powerful atonement for your sins.
4. At the hour of death the Masses you have heard will be your greatest
consolation.
5. Every Mass will go with you to judgment and plead for pardon.
6. At Mass you can diminish more or less temporal punishment due to your
sins, according to your fervor.
7. Assisting devoutly at Holy Mass you render to the sacred humanity of
Our Lord the greatest homage.
8. He supplies for many of your negligences and omissions.
9. He forgives the venial sins which you have not confessed. The
power of Satan over you is diminished.
10. You afford the souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief.
11. One Mass heard during life will be of more benefit to you than many
heard for you after your death.
12. You are preserved from dangers and misfortunes which otherwise might
have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory.
13. Every Mass wins for you a higher degree of glory in Heaven.
14. You receive the priest's blessing which Our Lord ratifies in Heaven.
15. You kneel amidst a multitude of holy angels, who are present at the
adorable Sacrifice with reverential awe.
16. You are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs.
In eternity, we shall fully realize that it was certainly worthwhile to
have assisted at Holy Mass daily. PRAY FOR PRIESTS THAT THEY MAY
OFFER THE MASS WITH HOLY LOVE AND REVERENCE.
**********
"The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!"
For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort
us at death. (revelation of Christ to St. Gertrude the great).
Padre Pio, the stigmatic priest, said, the world could exist more easily
without the sun than without the Mass.
The Cure'd' Ars, St. Jean Vianney said, if we knew the value of the Mass
we would die of joy.
A great doctor of the Church, St. Anselm, declares that a single Mass
offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand
celebrated for the same intention after death. St. Leonard of Port
Maurice supports this statement by saying that one Mass before death may
be more profitable than many after it.
"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in
their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their
souls after death." (Pope Benedict XV).
Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord,
"How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS".
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Saint
Louis De Montfort stresses that people should give there hearts and
wills to Jesus through Mary and that by doing this a soul will be able
to soar toward God. See Saint Louis's book True Devotion To Mary.
Saint Louis warns of the devil's great ability to deceive souls,
including souls of saints:
"Because the devils, who are skillful thieves, wish to surprise us
unawares, and to strip us. They watch day and night for the
favorable moment. For that end they go round about us
incessantly to devour us and to snatch from us in one moment, all
the graces and merits we have gained for many years.
Their malice, their experience, their stratagems and their number
ought to make us fear this misfortune immensely, especially when we
see how many persons fuller of grace than we are, richer in virtues,
better founded in experience and far higher exalted in sanctity,
have been surprised, robbed and unhappily pillaged. Ah!
How many cedars of Lebanon, how many stars of the firmament, have we
not seen fall miserably, and in the twinkling of an eye lose all
their height and their brightness! Whence comes that sad and
curious change? It was not for want of grace, which is wanting
to no man; but it was for want of humility. They thought
themselves capable of guarding their own treasures. They
trusted in themselves, relied upon themselves. They thought
their house secure enough, and their coffers strong enough, to keep
the precious treasure of grace. It is because of that scarcely
perceptible reliance upon themselves, though all the while it seemed
to them that they were relying only on the grace of God, that the
most just Lord permitted them to be robbed by leaving them to
themselves. Alas! If they had but known the admirable
devotion which I will unfold presently, they would have confided
their treasure to a Virgin powerful and faithful, who would have
kept it for them as if it had been her own possession; nay, who
would have even taken it as an obligation of justice on herself to
preserve it for them".
 PRAYER
TO
THE VIRGIN MARY
Holy Mary, my Queen and sovereign Lady, I give you myself, trusting in
your fidelity and your protection. I surrender myself entirely to your
motherly tenderness, my body, my soul, all that I am, all that I
possess, for the whole of this day, my life, and especially
at the hour of my death. I entrust to you once more all my hopes, all my
consolations, all my anxieties, all my troubles, my life, my dying
breath, so that by your prayers and merits, I may have, in all I do, one
only goal, your good pleasure and the holy will of your Son. Amen! |
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One day, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to Antonia d'Astonac, a
most devout Servant of God and told her that he wished to be honoured by
nine salutations corresponding to the nine Choirs of Angels, which
should consist of one Our Father and three Hail Marys in honour of each
of the Angelic Choirs.
Promises of St. Michael
"Whoever would practice this devotion in his honour would have, when
approaching the Holy Table, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of
the nine Choirs. In addition, for the daily recital of these nine
salutations, he promised his continual assistance and that all the holy
angels during life, and after death deliverance from Purgatory for
themselves and all their relations."
The Chaplet of St. Michael
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to
the Father, etc. [Say
one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine
salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels]
[STATE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST]
1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of
Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect
charity.
Amen. 2. By
the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may
the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the
paths of Christian perfection.
Amen.
3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones
may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of
humility.
Amen. 4. By
the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations
may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly
passions.
Amen. 5. By
the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may
the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.
6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers
may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the
devil.
Amen. 7. By
the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of
Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.
Amen. 8. By the
intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may
the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order
that we may attain the glory of Heaven.
Amen.
9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels
may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and
conducted in the life to come to Heaven.
Amen.
Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading
Say one Our
Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St.
Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel. Angels: St.
Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.
Concluding prayers:
O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly
hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the
house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with
excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to
you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve
God more and more faithfully every day.
Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus
Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a
merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most
glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we
ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may
harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into
Your Presence.This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. |
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Welcome to this Catholic Spiritual Direction Web Site. It is
the intention of this site to lead people to a closer relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit through the
promotion of prayer and Christian teaching which will enable Christians
to adhere to the straight and narrow path Jesus speaks of in the
Gospels. Included in these web pages are the Douay-Rheims Bible and the
works of Saint John of the Cross, Thomas a Kempis and Saint Louis de
Montfort, Saint Teresa of Avila, and the works of other saints of the
Catholic faith, all of whose teachings on spiritual direction have been
followed by priests, ministers, clergymen, Popes and Saints. These
teachings adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. This site is
dedicated to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (Biography) (1774-1824)
Mystic, Stigmatist, Prophet, and Great Visionary, a saintly Augustinian nun from Flamske, Germany.
Her highly descriptive visions of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, The Sorrowful Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, are presented here. In time more works from the Saints of the Catholic
Church will be added to these pages. |
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 OVERCOMING
DIFFICULTIES AT WORK OR AT HOME:
When difficulties come to us at work or at home it important to pray
your way through these difficulties. At work, it could be trouble
with a supervisor or a co-worker, with the result that misery is brought
into our lives. Or at home a wife or a husband, or a child or a
relative may be causing you trouble. It is important to pray your
way through these difficulties. The different forms of prayers
listed above, the Rosary, the Chaplet of Saint Michael, the Divine Mercy
Chaplet and the Holy Mass, can move God to assist us with the things the
bother us the most during our lives. Try these prayers, they
work.
And sometimes, it takes the prayers of others to help
change the current situations that are going on in our lives.
On the following web page, there are several prayer groups that will
pray for yours needs; this a great tool against our daily problems and
against the assaults of demons. Sometimes it takes the prayers of
many people to change things.
http://www.jesus-passion.com/catholic_groups_that_will_pray_for_you.htm
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From the Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila , Chapter 31. 1562 A.D. 
"From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy
water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again.
They also flee from the Cross, but return; so holy water must have great
virtue. For my own part, whenever I take it, my soul feels a particular
and most notable consolation. In fact, it is quite usual for me to be
conscious of a refreshment which I cannot possibly describe, resembling
an inward joy which comforts my whole soul. This is not fancy, or
something which has happened to me only once it has happened again and
again and I have observed it most attentively. It is let us say, as if
someone very hot and thirsty were to drink from a jug of cold water: he
would feel the refreshment throughout his body. I often reflect on the
great importance of everything ordained by the Church and it makes me
very happy to find that those words of the Church are so powerful that
they impart their power to the water and make it so very different from
water which has not been blessed."
The Catholic Church around the world uses Holy Water in every church to
make the church a fortress against the demons which assault men and
women. The Holy Water is usually situated near every entrance to
the church for people to use to anoint themselves with the Sign of the
Cross. When an individual puts on Holy Water any demons present
will flee. Catholics should put Holy Water in containers and place
them in their homes and their offices; by doing so they make their homes
and offices fortresses against the demons which are always lurking
about. Catholics should also consider carrying the Holy Water in
small containers in their pockets to ward off demonic attacks during
each day.
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GRACE POURED OUT FROM HOLY WATER |
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PRAYER
OF INTERCESSION TO
SAINT JOHN XXIII.
Saint John XXIII, you spent your life deeply immersed in the truths of
the Catholic Faith. You led us by your great example of sacrifice
and love as you successively led millions to love Our Lord Jesus Christ
and His Holy Church.
We now ask for your intercession for those who are troubled and in need:
Saint John XXIII, please pray for the Holy Catholic Church and for the
following prayer request:
[state your prayer request.] |
SAINT JOHN PAUL II
PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION
OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your
fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the
splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal
intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus
the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the
necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his
intercession,
[MENTION PRAYER REQUEST]
and according to your will,
the
graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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PRECIOUS BLOOD, ocean of divine mercy:
Flow
upon us!
Precious Blood, most pure offering:
Procure us every grace!
Precious Blood, hope and
refuge of sinners:
Atone for us!
Precious Blood, delight of holy souls:
Draw us! Amen.
Are you sick or do you know someone who is ill. Say the
prayer above for them everyday. Also, there is greater power of
prayer when many people are praying for the sick. Ask many fellow
Catholics to join in prayer with you for the sick. You can send
prayer requests to Catholic Groups that will join you in prayer at: http://www.jesus-passion.com/catholic_groups_that_will_pray_for_you.htm
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