Jesus
calling fishermen |
"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven." --Saint Pope Pius X |
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Jesus, we Trust in You 
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
CONGRESSMAN
KEVIN McCARTHY
Tweet from Kevin McCarthy:
"Every unborn child is precious, extraordinary, and
worthy of prtection. I applaud this historic ruling, which will
save countless innocent lives. The Court is right to return the
power to protect the unborn to the people's elected representatives in
Congress and the states."- June 24, 2022
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER:
You expired, Jesus,
but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy
opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine
Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount
of mercy for us, I trust in You!
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Our
Country and for the World.
How to say Divine Mercy Chaplet
The purpose and meaning of the Fifth Commandment
Who possesses the authority to take human life? Who has the right to make that decision? The emphasis in the Fifth Commandment is on the word “you.” You shall not murder! You are not to deliberately kill premeditatedly or in the anger of the moment.
“You shall not kill.”
Exodus 20:13
What makes human life precious? Consider it from God's point of view. He made us in His own image for the purpose of creating in us His own character. For that reason He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Compare 1 Timothy 2:4 As Jesus Christ explained, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:17
In our world however, human life is so often treated with indifference. We settle our differences with war, killing hundreds of thousands of other people in the process. Criminals steal not only possessions but their victims' lives. So many people view an unwanted pregnancy as simply an inconvenience or an unexpected consequence of their sexual activity that millions of unborn babies are aborted every year.
What a sad contrast to our Creator who promises us the greatest gift possible, the opportunity to share eternal life with Him. The murder of the day is commonly the first topic featured on television news program, especially in larger cities. Many such slayings are committed by family members or formerly close associates or friends. Random killings from gang and street violence add to the climate of fear in many communities. Homicides linked to other crimes and drugs are all too common. Untold thousands around the world fall victim to mass murder in the name of politics and ideology. Murder touches the life of almost everyone on earth.
In supposedly advanced societies, television and motion pictures barrage citizens with murders and carnage. Violence is so inextricably woven into the fabric of society that we glamorize it in our literature and entertainment. It's ironic that in spite of our fascination with murder, we follow the example of most societies throughout history in passing strict laws against it. Few people indeed have ever needed to be convinced that murder within their own community was wrong. However, other challenges concerning the value and sanctity of human life tend to generate controversy, particularly the execution of criminals by the state. Is capital punishment the same as murder? And what does God say about war? Why did God allow ancient Israel to take human life in battles with other nations? Was that a violation of the
Fifth Commandment?
The real issue
At the heart of these questions is this issue: Who possesses the authority to take human life? Who has the right to make that decision? The emphasis in the
Fifth Commandment is on the word you. You shall not murder! You are not to deliberately kill premeditatedly or in the anger of the moment. We must control our tempers. Taking another person's life is not our right to decide. That judgment is reserved for God alone. That is the thrust of this Commandment. God does not allow us to choose to wilfully, deliberately take another person's life. The Fifth Commandment reminds us that God is the giver of life, and He alone has the authority to take it or to grant humans permission to take it.
The Fifth Commandment does not specifically apply to manslaughter, deaths caused accidentally through carelessness or other unintentional actions. Such deaths although serious occurrences are not considered by the laws of God or man to fall into the same category as premeditated murder. Protect the lives of the Unborn.
Abortion
STANDARD FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY
Abortion is
completely banned in Missouri because of a new law that went into
effect June 24, 2022. |
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MASS READINGS FOR TODAY |
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SAINT FOR TODAY OR FEAST DAY
SAINT ANGELA MERICI
1470-1540
FEAST DAY: JANUARY 27TH
Angela Mericia was born on March 21,
1470 at Disenzano, Lombardy, Italy. At the age of ten she became
an orphan, which caused led her to go with her sister to the city of
Salo. At Salo she was taken in by her uncle's family. Her
sister died very soon after leaving her alone without any immediate
family. Angela entered a Franciscan Third order and returned to
her original home at Disenzano and converted her home into a school for
teaching girls the Catholic catechism. She then opened a second school
in Brescia, Italy. Eventually, she founded an order to be known as the
Ursulines in 1535, the name being derived from their devotion to St.
Ursula. In 1525, she went to Rome and saw Pope Clement VII.
The Holy Father wanted her to stay in Rome, but she felt led to return
to her school in Brescia. Angela served as the superior of the
Ursulines for five years and died on January 27, 1540. In 1544,
the Ursulines received papal approval.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Today, ask Saint Angela
to pray for your needs.
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 SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES
Feast Day: January 24th
(1567-1622)
Bishop of Geneva, Switzerland and a Doctor of the Church
FRANCIS was born of
noble and pious parents, near Annecy, A.D. 1567, and studied with
brilliant success at Paris and Padua. On his return from Italy he gave
up the grand Career which his father had marked out for him in the
service of the State, and became a priest. He studied at Annecy, Paris,
France and Padua, Italy. He received a doctorate in law at the
age of twenty-four. He was ordained a priest in 1593. When the Duke of
Savoy had resolved to restore the Church in the Chablais, Francis
offered himself for the work, and set out on foot with his Bible and
breviary and one companion, his cousin Louis of Sales. It was a work of
toil, privation, and danger. Every door and every heart were closed
against him. He was rejected with insult and threatened with death. But
nothing could daunt or resist him, and ere long the Church burst forth
into a second spring. It is stated that he converted 72,000 Calvinists.
He was then compelled by the Pope to become Coadjutor Bishop of Geneva,
and succeeded the see A.D. 1602. At times the exceeding gentleness with
which he received heretics and sinners almost scandalized his ends, and
one of them said to him, " Francis of Sales will go to Paradise, of
course; but I am not so sure of the Bishop of Geneva: I am almost
afraid his gentleness will play him a shrewd turn." "Ah," said
the saint, " I would rather account to God for too great gentleness
than for too great severity. Is not God all love? God the Father is the
Father of mercy; God the Son is a Lamb; God the Holy Ghost is a Dove,
that is, gentleness itself. And are you wiser than God ?"
He became an outstanding confessor and spiritual director and
spiritually guided Blessed Marie Acarie and St. Jane Francis de
Chantal. He founded several schools. He was gifted in
spiritual writing and wrote the spiritual classics:
Introduction to the Devout Life
and the
Treatise on the Love of God.
In union with St: Jane Frances of Chantal he founded at Annecy the
Order of the Visitation, which soon spread over Europe. Though poor, he
refused provisions and dignities, and even the great see of Paris.
He died at Avignon, A.D. 1622. He was canonized in 1653 and declared a
Doctor of the Church in 1877.
REFLECTION.-"You
will catch more flies," St. Francis used to say, " with a spoonful of honey than
with a hundred barrels of vinegar. Were there any thing better or fairer on
earth than gentleness, Jesus Christ would have taught it us ; and yet he has
given us only two lessons to learn of him—meekness and humility of heart."
Excerpt from Saint Francis de
Sales' book, Introduction to the Devout Life:
CHAPTER XVII.
NINTH MEDITATION.
On the Choice upon to you between
Heaven and Hell.
Preparation.
1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God. 2.
Humble yourself before Him, and ask His inspiration.
Considerations.
1. Imagine yourself alone with
your good angel
(46) in an open plain, as was Tobit on his way to Rages. Suppose the Angel
to set before you Paradise, full of delights and joys; and on the other hand
Hell, with all its torments. Contemplate both, kneeling in imagination before
your guardian Angel. Consider that you are most truly standing between Hell and
Paradise, and that both the one and the other are open to receive you, according
to your own choice.
2. Consider that the choice
you make in this life will last for ever in the next.
3. Consider too, that while both
are open to receive you according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to
give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the
while desires unspeakably that you should select Paradise; and your good Angel
is urging you with all his might to do so, offering you countless graces on
God's part, countless helps to attain to it.
4. Consider that Jesus Christ,
enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation: "O beloved one,
come unto Me, and joy for ever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!" Behold
His mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness--" Courage, my child, do
not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation."
Behold the Saints, who have left you their example, the (47)
millions of holy souls who long after you, desiring
earnestly that you may one day be for ever joined to them in their song of
praise, urging upon you that the road to Heaven is not so hard to
find as the world would have you think. "Press on boldly, dear
friend,"--they cry. "Whoso will ponder well the path by which we came hither,
will discover that we attained to these present delights by sweeter joys than
any this world can give."
The Choice.
1. O Hell, I abhor thee now and
for ever; I abhor thy griefs and torments, thine endless misery, the unceasing
blasphemies and maledictions which thou pourest out upon my God;--and turning to
thee, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose thee for
ever as my abode, thy glorious mansions, thy precious and abiding tabernacles. O
my God, I bless Thy Mercy which gives me the power to choose--O Jesus, Saviour,
I accept Thine Eternal Love, and praise Thee for the promise Thou hast given me
of a place prepared for me in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and
bless Thee for ever.
2. Dwell lovingly upon the
example set before you by the Blessed Virgin and the Saints, and strive to
follow where they point you. Give (48) yourself up to your guardian
Angel, that he may be your guide, and gird up your courage anew to make this
choice.
******
To see the
entire book, go to this link:
Introduction to the Devout Life
MORE ON
SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES FROM BUTLER'S LIVES OF THE SAINTS
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NEED A PRAYER ANSWERED,
NEED A
MIRACLE, PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
From the DIARY, DIVINE
MERCY IN MY SOUL, BY Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska.
NOTEBOOK III,
Section 1128:
"May 22, 1937. The
heat is so intense today that it is difficult to bear. We are all
thirsting for rain, and still it does not come. For several days the
sky has been overcast, but there is not rain. When I looked at (35)
the plants, thirsting for the rain, I was moved with pity, and I decided to
say the chaplet until the Lord would send us rain. Before supper, the
sky covered over with clouds, and a heavy rain fell on the earth. I
had been saying this prayer without interruption for three hours. And
the Lord let me know that everything can be obtained by means of this
prayer."
How to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet
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Pope Benedict XVI, who
served as head of the Catholic Church from 2005 until
his shocking resignation in 2013, died at the age of 95 on Dec. 31.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said
in a
statement, "With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus,
Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery
in the Vatican."
On Jan. 2, the Pope Emeritus's body will lie in state
in the Vatican's Basilica of Saint Peter, to allow mourners offer their
prayers and pay their respects, Vatican newspaper
L'Osservatore RomanoPope reported. The current Pope
Francis will preside over the funeral service, which will be
held Jan. 5 in Saint Peter's Square, it stated.
The retired pope's passing comes days after The Holy
See shared that Benedict was receiving constant medical care, with
Pope Francis asking for prayers and well wishes.
EWTN:
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/holysee/popes/benedictxvi
PLEASE PRAY FOR POPE BENEDICT AND ASK HIS INTERCESSION
FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Pope Benedict, pray for us.
WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI
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January 8th
Epiphany of Our Lord
The word Epiphany
means manifestation, and it has passed into general acceptance
throughout the universal Church, from the fact that Jesus Christ
manifested to the eyes of men His divine mission on this day
first of all, when a miraculous star revealed His birth to the kings
of the East. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy that a star would arise
from Jacob. (Numbers 24:17) It was
understood by these Wise Men that this star was announcing the
Saviour-King, destined to be born of the Jews. And they, in spite of
the difficulties and dangers of a long and tedious journey through
deserts and mountains almost impassable, hastened at once to
Bethlehem to adore Him. And there they offered Him mystical
presents, as to the King of kings, to the God of heaven and earth,
and to a Man whose human nature made Him mortal and subject to
sufferings.
The second manifestation
commemorated by this feast day occurred when He came forth from the
waters of the Jordan after having received Baptism from the hands of
Saint John, and the Holy Ghost descended on Him in the visible form
of a dove. A voice from heaven was heard, saying, This is My beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The third manifestation
which the Church's liturgy recalls to us is that of the divine power
of Jesus when, at the marriage-feast of Cana, by the first of His
miracles He changed water into wine. And at the sight of this
prodigy His disciples believed in His Divinity. These three great
events, concurring to the same end, the Church has wished to
celebrate in one and the same festival.
Reflection. Admire the almighty power of
this little Child, who from His cradle makes known His coming to the
shepherds and magi — to the shepherds by means of His Angel, to the
magi by a star in the East. Admire the docility of these kings.
Jesus is born: behold them at His feet! Let us be little, let us
efface ourselves, and the divine strength will be granted to us. Let
us be docile and quick in following divine inspirations, and we
shall then become wise by the wisdom of God, powerful by His
almighty power.
Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a
compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other
sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894)
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Litany of the Holy Family
[Say prayer request.]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on
us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have
mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
(“Pray for us” is repeated as indicated
by “…”)
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, most worthy of
our veneration, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, called “the
Holy Family” from all time, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, son, mother,
and head of the Holy Family, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, divine child,
pure spouse, and chaste spouse, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, restorers of
fallen families, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, image of the
Blessed Trinity here on earth, …
Holy Family, tested by the greatest of
difficulties, …
Holy Family, with much suffering on the
journey to Bethlehem, …
Holy Family, without a welcome in
Bethlehem, …
Holy Family, visited by the poor
shepherds, …
Holy Family, obliged to live in a
stable, …
Holy Family, praised by the angels, …
Holy Family, venerated by the wise men
from the East, …
Holy Family, greeted by the pious Simeon
in the temple, …
Holy Family, persecuted and exiled to a
foreign country, …
Holy Family, hidden and unknown in
Nazareth, …
Holy Family, faithful in the observance
of divine laws, …
Holy Family, perfect model of the
Christian family, …
Holy Family, center of peace and
concord, …
Holy Family, whose protector is a model
of paternal care, …
Holy Family, whose mother is a model of
maternal diligence, …
Holy Family, whose Divine Child is a
model of filial obedience, …
Holy Family, poor in material goods, but
rich in divine blessings, …
Holy Family, as nothing in the eyes of
men, but so great in heaven, …
Holy Family, our support in life and our
hope in death, …
Holy Family, patron and protector of our
Congregation, …
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for 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, hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of
the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Let us pray. O God of infinite goodness
and kindness, who has deigned to call us to this Family, give us the
grace to venerate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, so that, imitating them in
this life, we may enjoy with them the life to come. We ask this through
Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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December 25th
THE
BIRTH OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
FROM THE VISIONS OF
BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH
From the Book:
The Lowly Life and Bitter Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother together with the Mysteries of the Old Testament
from the Visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich as recorded in the Journal of Clement Brentano and
edited by C.E. Schmoger, C.S.R.,.
I saw Joseph on the following
day arranging a seat and couch for Mary in the so-called Suckling Cave of
Abraham, which was also the sepulchre of Maraha, his nurse. It was more
spacious than the cave of the Crib. Mary remained there some hours, while
Joseph was making the latter more habitable. He brought also from the city
may different little vessels and some dried fruits. Mary told him that the
birth-hour of the Child would arrive on the coming night. It was then nine
months since her conception by the Holy Ghost. She begged him to do all in
his power that they might receive as honorably as possible this Child promised
by God, this Child supernaturally conceived; and she invited him to unite with
her in prayer for those hard-hearted people who would afford Him no place of
shelter. Joseph proposed to bring some pious women whom he knew in
Bethlehem to her assistance; but Mary would not allow it, she declared that
she had no need of any one. It was five o'clock in the evening when
Joseph brought Mary back again to the Crib Cave. He hung up several more
lamps, and made a place under the shed before the door for the little she-ass,
which came joyfully hurrying from the fields to meet them.
When Mary told Joseph that her
time was drawing near and that he should now betake himself to prayer, he left
her and turned toward his sleep-place to do her bidding. Before entering
his little recess, he looked back once toward that part of the cave where Mary
knelt upon her couch in prayer, her back to him, her face toward the east.
He saw the cave filled with the light that streamed from Mary, for she was
entirely enveloped as if by flames. It was as if he were, like Moses,
looking into the burning bush. He sank prostrate to the ground in prayer,
and looked not back again. The glory around Mary became brighter and
brighter, the lamps that Joseph had lit were no longer to be seen. Mary
knelt, her flowing white robe spread out before her. At the twelfth hour,
her prayer became ecstatic, and I saw her raised so far above the ground that one
could see it beneath her. Her hands were crossed upon her breast, and the
light around her grew even more resplendent. I no longer saw the roof of
the cave. Above Mary stretched a pathway of light up to heaven in which
pathway it seemed as if one light came forth from another, as if one figure
dissolved into another, and from these different spheres of light other heavenly
figures issued. Mary continued in prayer, her eyes bent low upon the
ground. At that moment she gave birth to the Infant Jesus. I saw Him
like a tiny, shining child, lying on the rug at her knees, and brighter far than
all the other brilliancy. He seemed to grow before my eyes. But
dazzled by the glittering and flashing of light, I know not whether I really saw
that, or how I saw it. Even inanimate nature seemed stirred. The
stones of the rocky floor and the walls of the cave were glimmering and
sparkling, as if instinct with life.
Mary's ecstasy lasted some
moments longer. Then I saw her spread a cover over the Child, but she did
not yet take It up, nor even touch It. After a long time, I saw the Child
stirring and heard It crying, and then only did Mary seem to recover full
consciousness. She lifted the Child, along with the cover that she had
thrown over It, to her breast and veiled, herself and Child quite enveloped.
I think she was suckling It. I saw angels around her in human form
prostrate on their faces. It may, perhaps, have been an hour after the
birth when Mary called St. Joseph, who still lay prostrate in prayer. When
he approached, he fell on his knees, his face to the ground, in a transport of
joy, devotion, and humility. Mary again urged him to look upon the Sacred
Gift from Heaven, and then did Joseph take the Child into his arms. And
now the Blessed Virgin swathed the Child in red and over that in a white veil up
as far as under the little arms, and the upper part of the body from the armpits
to the head, when wrapped up in another piece of linen. She had only four
swaddling-cloths with her. She laid the Child in the Crib, which had been
filled with rushes and fine moss over which was spread a cover that hung down at
the sides. The Crib stood over the stone trough, and at this spot the
ground stretched straight and level as far as the passage, where it made a
broader flexure toward the south. The floor of this part of the cave lay
somewhat deeper than where the Child was born, and down to it steps had been
formed in the earth. When Mary laid the Child in the Crib, both she and
Joseph stood by It in tears, singing the praises of God.
The seat and the couch of
the Blessed Virgin were near the Crib. I saw her on the first day sitting
upright and also resting on her side, though I noticed in her no special signs of
weakness or sickness. Both before and after the birth, she was robed in
white. When visitors came, she generally sat near the Crib more closely
veiled.
On the night of the Birth
there gushed forth a beautiful spring in the other cave that lay to the right.
The water ran out, and the next day Joseph dug a course for it and formed a
spring.
In those visions to which
the event itself, and not the feast of the Church, gave rise, I saw, indeed, no
such sparkling joy in nature as I sometimes see at holy Christmas-tide.
Then the joy as an interior signification. But yet, I saw extraordinary
gladness, and in many places, even in the most distant regions of the world,
something marvelous on that midnight. By it the good were filled with
joyful on-goings, and the bad with dread. I saw also many of the lower
animals joyfully agitated. I saw fountains gushing forth and swelling,
flowers springing up in many places, trees and plants budding with new life, and
all sending forth their fragrance. In Bethlehem it was misty, and the sky
above shone with a murky, reddish glare. But over the valley of the
shepherds, around the Crib, and in the vale of the Suckling Cave floated bright
clouds of refreshing dew.
I saw the herds of the
three oldest shepherds near the hill under sheds; but those further on near the
shepherds tower, were partly in the open air. The three eldest shepherds,
roused by the wonders of the night, I saw standing together before their huts,
gazing around, and pointing out the magnificent light that shone over the Crib.
The shepherds at the distant tower were also in full movement. They had
climbed up the tower and were looking toward the Crib over which they, too, saw
the light. I saw something like a cloud of glory descend upon the three
shepherds. I saw in it figures moving to and fro, and heard the approach
of sweet, clear voices singing softly. At first, the shepherds were
frightened. Soon there stood before them five or seven lovely, radiant
figures holding in their hands a long strip like a scroll upon which were
written words in letters a hand in length. The angels were singing the
Gloria.
The angels appeared also to
the shepherds on the tower and where else, I do not now recall. I did not
see them hurrying off at once to the cave. The first three were indeed an
hour and a half distant from it, and those on the tower as far again. But
I saw that they began at once to reflect upon what gifts they should take to the
new-born Saviour, and to get them together as quickly as possible. The
three shepherds went to the Crib early next morning.
I saw that Anna at
Nazareth, Elizabeth in Juttah, Noemi, Anna, and Simeon in the Temple -- all had
on this night visions from which they learned the birth of the Saviour.
The child John was unspeakably joyous. But only Anne knew where the
new-born Child was; the others, and even Elizabeth, knew indeed of Mary and saw
her in vision, but they knew nothing of Bethlehem.
I saw something very
wonderful taking place in the Temple. The writings of the Sadducees were
more than once hurled by an invisible force from the places in which they were
kept, which circumstance gave rise to unaccountable dread. The fact was
ascribed to sorcery, and large sums of money were paid to hush the matter up.
I saw that in Rome, across
the river where numbers of Jews dwelt, a well of oil gushed forth spontaneously,
to the wonder of all the witnesses. And when Jesus was born, a
magnificent statue of the god Jupiter fell with violence from its place.
All were struck with fear. Sacrifices were offered and another idol, I
think Venus, was interrogated as to the cause. The devil was forced to
speak by its mouth, and he proclaimed that it had happened because a virgin
unmarried had conceived and brought forth a son. He told them also of the
miracle of the oil-well. Where this took place now stands a church in
honor of the Mother of God. I saw that the pagan priests were deeply
perplexed at the whole affair. They searched their writings, and
discovered the following history. About seventy years previously, this
idol (Jupiter) had been greatly venerated. It was magnificently ornamented
with gold and precious stones, grand ceremonies were held in its honor, and
numerous sacrifices offered to it. But there was in Rome at that time an
extraordinarily pious woman who lived on her own means. I know not for
certain whether she was a Jewess or not; but she had visions, uttered
prophecies, and informed many persons as to the cause of their sterility.
This woman had thrown out words to this effect that they should not honor the
idol at so great a cost, for that they would one day behold it burst asunder in
their midst. This speech proved so offensive that she was imprisoned and
tormented until by her prayers she obtained from God the information as to when
that misfortune would happen. The pagan priests demanded what had been
revealed to her, and when at last she replied: "The idol will be shattered
when an Immaculate Virgin shall bring forth a son, " they hooted at her, and
released her as a fool. And now the people recalled the fact and declared
that the woman had spoken truly. I saw also that the Roman consuls, of
whom one was named Lentulus and who was a friend of St. Peter and an ancestor of
the martyr-priest Moses, made notes of this occurrence, as well as that of the
bursting forth of the oil-well.
On this night, I saw the
Emperor Augustus at the Capitol where he had an apparition of a rainbow upon
which sat the Virgin and Child. From the oracle that he caused to be
interrogated upon what he had seen, he received the answer: "A Child is born,
and before Him we must all flee!" The Emperor at once erected an altar and
offered sacrifice to the Son of the Virgin, as to the "First-born of God."
I had also a vision of
Egypt far beyond Matarea, Heliopolis, and Memphis. There was in that
region a large idol that used to give answers to all kinds of questions.
Suddenly it became mute. The king ordered immense sacrifices to be offered
throughout his whole dominions. Then was the devil, upon the command of
God, forced to say: "I have become silent, I must give place to another.
The Son of the Virgin is born, and a temple will be here erected to His honor. "
Upon hearing this, the king wanted to raise a temple to the newborn Child next
to that of the god, but I do not clearly recall the story. I know,
however, that the idol was put aside and that a temple was erected to the Virgin
and Child whom it had proclaimed, and who were afterward honored with pagan
rites.
I beheld a great wonder in
the country of the Three Kings. There was a tower on a mountain to which
the Kings retired in turn with a retinue of priests, in order to observe the
stars. What they saw they committed to writing and communicated to one
another. On this night there were two of them there, Mensor and Seir.
The third, who dwelt toward the east side of the Caspian Sea, was called
Theokeno. He was not present. There was a certain constellation at
which they always gazed, and whose variations they noted. In it they saw
visions and pictures. Upon this night also, they had several visions of
various kinds. It was not in one star alone that they saw those visions,
but in several that formed a figure, and there seemed to be a movement in them.
They saw the vision of the moon over which arose a beautiful rainbow-colored
arch on which was seated a Virgin. The left limb was drawn up in a sitting
posture, the right hung a little lower and rested on the moon. To the left
of the Virgin and rising above the arch, was a grapevine, and on her right a
sheaf of wheat. In front of the Virgin was a chalice like that used at the
Last Supper. It appeared to issue, but with greater clearness and
brightness, from the brilliancy that emanated from her. Out of the chalice
arose a Child, and over the Child shone a bright disk like an empty ostensorium.
It was surrounded by radiating beams. It reminded me of the Blessed
Sacrament. On the Virgin's right was an octangular church with a golden
door and two small side-doors. With the right hand, the Virgin put the
Child and the host into the church which, meanwhile, grew larger and larger, and
in which I saw the Most Holy Trinity. Above the church arose a tower.
Theokeno, the third king, had similar visions in his own home.
Over the head of the Virgin
sitting on the arch shone a star, which suddenly shot from its place and skimmed
along the heavens before the Kings. It was for them a voice announcing as
never before that the Child, so long awaited by them and by their ancestors, was
at last born in Judea, and that they were to follow that star. For some
nights immediately preceding that blessed one, they had from their tower seen
all kinds of visions in the heavens, kings journeying to the Child and offering
their homage to It. So now they hurriedly gathered together their treasure
and with gifts and presents began the journey, for they did not want to be the
last. I saw all three after a few days meeting on the way.
______________
THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST
AND HIS BLESSED MOTHER TOGETHER WITH
THE MYSTERIES OF
THE OLD TESTAMENT
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| [MENTION YOUR PRAYER REQUEST] [Ask Saint Joseph to end all abortions world-wide and for the end of war in Ukraine]
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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NINE DAY NOVENA IN HONOR OF SAINT JOSEPH 
PRAYER BEFORE THE NOVENA GREAT Saint Joseph, prostrate at thy feet with feelings of unlimited confidence we beg thee to bless the Novena that I began in thy honor. I will meditate upon thy virtues; grant that I may learn fully to appreciate them. The knowledge of them will be the source of great confusion for me because of the poverty and destitution of my soul. Great dispenser of the heavenly treasures, assist me in my poverty, help me to display thy virtues in my own soul. "Thou art never invoked in vain," says the seraphic Theresa of Jesus; be thou to me what thou hast been to that Spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; graciously hearken to me as thou didst hearken to her. Amen. (MAKE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST) PRAYERS TO BE SAID OVER THE NINE DAYS FIRST DAY
SECOND DAY
THIRD DAY
FOURTH DAY
FIFTH DAY
SIXTH DAY
SEVENTH DAY
EIGHTH DAY
NINTH DAY FIRST DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF THE LIFE OF FAITH THE words of the great Apostle: "The just man liveth by faith," may be applied particularly to Saint Joseph who was the most just of men and whose life was ever guided by faith. Joseph submitted his intelligence to the holy truths of religion. He applied his heart from his tenderest infancy to the observance of the divine precepts. p;In the trials and sorrows of life, Joseph was sustained by faith. He shaped his whole conduct by the desire to please God and he attained the great aim of man upon earth, which is to adore God, to serve Him, and hence to deserve the everlasting Truth. Let us glorify this great Servant of God who possessed faith so universal, so simple, so enlightened, so firm, so constant, and, above all, so fruitful in good works. Let us examine ourselves with regard to this great virtue and see how we resemble him. Is my faith firm, unshaken? Is my conduct animated by faith! Is the predominant thought that directs my acts to please God, and to obtain merit for everlasting life? Have I tried to derive consolation and strength from the thought of faith in time of trial? PRAYER GREAT Saint, † model of the just living by faith, revive that virtue in our souls. † May it be principle, † the motive, † the aim of all my actions; consolation and my strength in the trials of this life, the source of abundant merit for everlasting life. † Amen SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** SECOND DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF HOPE JOSEPH, abandoning himself entirely to the care of Divine Providence, glorified God by his life. Among all the virtues, hope is the most pleasing to God, because it is based upon His infinite goodness. In the sufferings of this life it is the source of the greatest consolation and encouragement. Joseph hoped in the Lord. He hoped for His grace in the accomplishment of His adorable will; for His help in time of trial; for His light in the difficulties of life. By hope he detached his heart from the perishable goods and the deceitful affections of this world. In the hour of trial he sustained his courage by hope, and fortified his heart with a peace that nothing could alter. Let us imitate Saint Joseph. Let us elevate our hopes towards the only veritable and imperishable treasures. Let us trust in the wisdom and solicitude of Divine Providence. Let us rely upon the grace of the Lord; upon His goodness, and upon His power. Let us renew our confidence in the hour of trial. Let us avoid discouragement, which outrages the wisdom and goodness of God. PRAYER JOSEPH, † do thou cause the gift of Christian hope to descend into my heart. † May it enlighten me, † console me, † defend me. † May it detach me from the earth † so as to elevate my thoughts and my affections towards Heaven. † May it henceforward inspire my whole conduct † and give me the right to die like thee, † saying: "Lord, I have hoped in Thee; † I shall not be confounded." SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** THIRD DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF CHARITY JOSEPH loved God from his earliest youth and loved Him during his whole life. Joseph loved God with his whole heart, with his whole soul, with his whole strength. Joseph loved God with a love of preference, giving Him his first affections, and cutting off his heart from all that could hinder or alter his love for his Lord and Sovereign Master. Joseph loved God with a love of union, keeping himself; constantly united to God by prayer, meditation, the thought of His holy presence, and the most perfect conformity to the will of God. Joseph loved God with a love of immolation which prompted him to perfect devotedness, enabling him to perform with joy the greatest and most numerous sacrifices. Joseph loved God with a love of perseverance that experienced neither decrease nor alteration. He always loved God with all his power to love, and constantly endeavored to love Him more and more. PRAYER BLESSED Saint, † enkindle in my cold heart a spark of thy charity. † May God be always the first and only object of my affections. † Keep my soul always, in sanctifying peace, † and, if I should be so unhappy as to lose it, † give me the strength to recover it immediately by a sincere repentance. Grant me such a love of my God † as will always keep me united to Him, † and will be the principle and motive of all my actions. † Grant me a generous love that will make me overcome all obstacles, † and accept the greatest sacrifices rather than separate myself from the charity of my God. † Amen. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** FOURTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF PURITY "How beautiful is the chaste generation!" (Wisdom iv) "The whole weight of gold is as nothing in comparison with a pure soul." (Eccles. xxv) SAINT Joseph was preeminent in purity because he feared God and faithfully observed His holy law; because he safeguarded his virtue by fear of the Sovereign Good and by prudence; because he sheltered it under the virginity of Mary, and felt the influence of Jesus, the divine Son of all sanctity. How pure must he have been who was to become the worthy spouse of the Immaculate Virgin! How holy must he have been whose relations with the thrice holy God were so intimate. PRAYER JOSEPH, † help me to understand the excellence of purity † and how dear it is to the heart of God. Teach me to preserve carefully this delicate virtue † and the shadow of the fear of God; † to safeguard it by prayer, by vigilance, † by shunning the world, † by careful watch over my heart and my senses. † Grant that I may hence forward close my heart to all disorderly affections; † that I may deserve to enjoy like thee upon earth † the friends and intimacy of Jesus, † and that it may be given to me one day to sing in Heaven the canticle reserved for Virgins. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** FIFTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF HUMILITY JOSEPH excelled in humility because he realized that glory is due to God alone, and that, of himself, man is but misery and nothingness. By reason of his humility Joseph was accorded the most glorious privileges and entrusted with the most sublime mission. To accomplish His designs, God employs only the humble who do not claim for themselves the glory. As Foster Father of Jesus and Spouse of the Queen Heaven and earth, Joseph was more highly honored than any king in this world. What pretexts, furnished by zeal for the glory of God, might have prompted him to speak, to put himself forward, to attribute to himself the greatness of the precursor of the Messiah, and the glories of the apostles! He rather conceals the astonishing prodigies which have been revealed to him, and the sublimity of the functions he exercises. Under an impenetrable veil he hides all that can draw upon him the esteem of men. PRAYER O JOSEPH, † what a lesson for me † ever so eager to appear, † so anxious to display before the eyes of men † the graces that I owe entirely to the liberality of God. † Obtain that I may attribute to God the glory of all things; † that I may love the humble and hidden life; † that I may not desire any other position than the one given by Providence; † and that I may always be a docile instrument in the hands of God. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** SIXTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF PATIENCE CONSIDER how Joseph suffered in his life time. He tasted, indeed, ineffable consolations, but he also endured much suffering. In contrast with the glories of his fallen family, his was a life of labor and self denial. What did he not have to suffer, especially after the Incarnation of the Son of God? It is verily Joseph who experienced that wherever Jesus enters, He comes with His Cross and His Crown of Thorns. He suffers in perfect conformity with the Divine Will. Joseph renews his courage in the hope of eternal joys and treasures, in the examples of patience which are given him by Jesus and Mary. Thus, whatever may be his trials they cannot trouble the peace of his soul. PRAYER JOSEPH, model of patience, † teach me this virtue; which is so necessary † in the midst of the sufferings and trials of this sorrowful life. Grant that your example and that of Mary, † as well as the hope of celestial joys, † may ever renew my courage. Amen. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** SEVENTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF PRUDENCE LET US honor in Saint Joseph the faithful and prudent servant to whom Almighty God entrusted the care of His family. Prudence inspired Saint Joseph to adopt as the foundation and rule of his conduct, the great principles of faith; God, the end of man in this world; God, the reward of man in eternity. Remembering that life is short and uncertain, that upon a moment may depend our eternity, Saint Joseph wisely employs his time. He is careful to make a holy use of his senses and his other faculties in order to give to his Lord and Master a faithful account of the talents entrusted to him; he watches over the world around him, yielding to the world in the measure willed by God, but not giving himself up to it. He makes within himself a retreat accessible to God alone and impenetrable to creatures. PRAYER FAITHFUL and prudent servant, † watch over my weakness and my inexperience; † obtain for me that prudence which reminds me of my end, † which directs my paths, † and which protects me from every danger. Amen. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** EIGHTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF OBEDIENCE JOSEPH regarded obedience as rendering man particularly pleasing to God. What esteem Joseph had particularly for obedience, when he heard Mary answering the Angel: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word!" When he saw Jesus submit to his orders, anticipate his wishes, execute them faithfully and promptly! When he considered that the Incarnate Word would be obedient until death, even the death of the Cross. PRAYER JOSEPH, so faithful to display in thy conduct the obedience of Jesus and Mary, † obtain for me this important virtue. † Obtain for me a perfect docility of heart † to accomplish the will of God, † and that of those who replace Him. † Inspire me by your example, † to obey with promptness and generosity; † obtain for me above all, † the grace to obey without murmuring, † without reasoning † upon the orders given me, † in spite of every pretext, † and with an entire immolation of my own will. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH ****** NINTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF DETACHMENT SAINT Joseph loved poverty because it detaches man from all passing and perishable goods, delivers the soul from dangerous obstacles, and from a thousand evils and cares, and permits him to keep his eyes raised toward Heaven, instead of stooping, like a slave, toward the earth. Saint Joseph loved poverty, because he saw it practised in the highest degree by Jesus Christ. Did he not regard it as a hidden and priceless treasure, when he contemplated Jesus in His abnegation, when he saw Him stretch out His divine hands to ask for the most necessary needs of life? Saint Joseph suffered the privations of life with patience, without murmur of complaint, using his poverty to detach himself more and more from worldly goods, and to seek the goods of Heaven. PRAYER () JOSEPH, make me understand the excellence of poverty. † Grant that I may enter into the interior dispositions † which animated thee in regard to that virtue. † Disclose to me the snares of riches, † the dangers which are attached to them, † the solicitude which they engender. Make me understand how much God favors us, † when he refuses us riches, † since he furnishes us a precious occasion to detach us from ourselves † and from creatures, † and to increase our merit for Heaven. Amen. SAY THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH Litany of Saint Joseph Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us. Saint Joseph, Pray for us. Renowned offspring of David, Pray for us. Light of patriarchs, Pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, Pray for us. Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for us. Diligent protector of Christ, Pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us. Joseph, most just, Pray for us. Joseph, most chaste, Pray for us. Joseph, most prudent, Pray for us. Joseph, most strong, Pray for us. Joseph, most obedient, Pray for us. Joseph, most faithful, Pray for us. Mirror of patience, Pray for us. Glory of home life, Pray for us. Guardian of virgins, Pray for us. Pillar of families, Pray for us. Saint Joseph, Lover of poverty, Pray for us. Model of laborers, Pray for us. Solace of the wretched, Pray for us. Hope of the sick, Pray for us. Patron of the dying, Pray for us. Terror of demons, Pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, Pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, 0 Lord, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, 0 Lord, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. V. He made him the lord of His household. R. And prince over all his possessions. Let Us Pray GOD, WHO in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse; of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have for our advocate in heaven him whom we venerate as our protector on earth: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. SAINT TERESA OF AVILA HIGHLY RECOMMENDS PRAYING TO SAINT JOSEPH TO OBTAIN FAVORS FROM GOD
FROM: THE LIFE OF SAINT TERESA, Chapter 6, The following are the words of Saint Teresa of Avila: "I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my father and lord delivered me both from this trouble and also from other and greater troubles concerning my honour[91] and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favours which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succour us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks. This has also been the experience of other persons whom I have advised to commend themselves to him; and even to-day there are many who have great devotion to him through having newly experienced this truth. I used to try to keep his feast with the greatest possible solemnity[92]; but, though my intentions were good, I would observe it with more vanity than spirituality, for I always wanted things to be done very meticulously and well. I had this unfortunate characteristic that, if the Lord gave me grace to do anything good, the way I did it was full of imperfections and extremely faulty. I was very assiduous and skilful in wrongdoing and in my meticulousness and vanity. May the Lord forgive me. I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good. If I were a person writing with authority, I would gladly describe, at greater length and in the minutest detail, the favours which this glorious saint has granted to me and to others. But in order not to do more than I have been commanded I shall have to write about many things briefly, much more so than I should wish, and at unnecessarily great length about others: in short, I must act like one who has little discretion in all that is good. I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practise prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray. May the Lord grant that I have not erred in venturing to speak of him; for though I make public acknowledgment of my devotion to him, in serving and imitating him I have always failed. He was true to his own nature when he cured my paralysis and gave me the power to rise and walk; and I am following my own nature in using this favour so ill." ********** |
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Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with thousands of Catholics at Relevant Radio, the Drew Mariani Show, at 4pm Eastern Time, for Spiritual help and healing of sickness and the end of abortion: https://relevantradio.com/listen/ Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy – JesusThe Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a prayer of intercession prayed on ordinary rosary beads in as little as ten minutes, yet its prayerful recitation comes with a plethora of graces and promises. Jesus instructed Saint Faustina, My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. (Diary, 1541)
If the Lord is saying “It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet,” shouldn’t we take every opportunity to recite this prayer with intentions for our country, our neighbors, our world? As are many of us today, St. Faustina was greatly concerned for all mankind. Her lamentations then sound remarkably familiar to what one might hear today. She records in Diary passage 929: When I had rested near His sweetest Heart, I told Him, “Jesus, I have so much to tell You.” And the Lord said to me with great love, “Speak, My daughter.” And I started to enumerate the pains of my heart; that is, how greatly concerned I am for all mankind, that “they all do not know You, and those who do know You do not love You as You deserve to be loved. I also see how terribly sinners offend You; and then again, I see how severely the faithful, especially Your servants, are oppressed and persecuted. And then, too, I see many souls rushing headlong into the terrible abyss of hell. You see, Jesus, this is the pain that gnaws at my heart and bones. And, although You show me special love and inundate my heart with streams of Your joys, nevertheless, this does not appease the sufferings I have just mentioned, but rather they penetrate my poor heart all the more acutely. Oh, how ardently I desire that all mankind turn with trust to Your mercy. Then, seeing the glory of Your name, my heart will be comforted.”
How kindly and tenderly Jesus deals with her outpourings. What a consolation for us who share St. Faustina’s heart. St. Faustina continues: Jesus listened to these outpourings of my heart with gravity and interest, as if He had known nothing about them, and this seemed to make it easier for me to talk. And the Lord said to me, My daughter, those words of your heart are pleasing to Me, and by saying the chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to Me. After these words, I found myself alone, but the presence of God is always in my soul.
The Lord asked St. Faustina to pray the chaplet for many causes as outlined below. Let us pray the Chaplet of Mercy as often as possible for all the things St. Faustina prayed for and more. Seek her intercession. Ask her to pray each chaplet with you thankful for the goodness and generosity of the Lord. Promises of the Chaplet for all ThingsI desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy. (687) My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. (1541)
Promises of the Chaplet to Appease God’s AngerThis prayer will serve to appease My wrath. (476) When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger is placated. (811) This chaplet mitigates God’s anger, as He Himself told me. (1036) It [the chaplet] appeases the anger of God. (1565)
Promises of the Chaplet for SinnersPriests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. (687) When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one. (1541)
Promises of the Chaplet for StormsToday I was awakened by a great storm. The wind was raging, and it was raining in torrents, thunderbolts striking again and again. I began to pray that the storm would do no harm, when I heard the words: Say the chaplet I have taught you, and the storm will cease. I began immediately to say the chaplet and hadn’t even finished it when the storm suddenly ceased, and I heard the words: Through the chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. (1731) When a great storm was approaching, I began to say the chaplet. Suddenly I heard the voice of an angel: “I cannot approach in this storm, because the light which comes from her mouth drives back both me and the storm.” Such was the angel’s complaint to God. I then recognized how much havoc he was to have made through this storm; but I also recognized that this prayer was pleasing to God, and that this chaplet was most powerful. (1791)
Promises of the Chaplet for the FaithfulThe souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death. (754) While I was saying the chaplet, I heard a voice which said, Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. O what a great multitude of souls I see! They worshiped the Divine Mercy and will be singing the hymn of praise for all eternity. (848)
Promises of the Chaplet for the DyingI realize more and more how much every soul needs God’s mercy throughout life and particularly at the hour of death. This chaplet mitigates God’s anger, as He Himself told me. (1036) At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the pardon is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of My Son. (811) Source: https://divinemercyforamerica.org/action-plan/utilize-the-promises/promises-of-the-chaplet/ OUR LORD’S PROMISES ATTACHED TO THE
PRAYING OF THE
CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
AS REVEALED TO ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA - “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image (of Divine Mercy) will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” (Diary, 48)
- “The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.” (Diary, 754)
- “When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.” (Diary, 1541)
- “When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior.” (Diary, 1541)
- “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” (Diary, 687)
- “Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy…I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary, 687)
- “To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.” (Diary, 1521)
- “The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion for sinners. Know, my daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.” (Diary, 1397)
- “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony…I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary, 1320; also, cf. Diary, 1572)
- “Souls who spread the honor of My mercy…at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior.” (Diary, 1075)
- “The two rays denote Blood and Water…These two rays issued from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father…I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy…whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.” (Diary, 299-300)
- “I desire that the Feast of Mercy…be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter…The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion (in a state of grace on this day) shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary, 699)
- “Through this chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.” (Diary, 1731)
- “My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world.” (Diary, 1485)
Note: Excerpts taken from the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, titled Divine Mercy in My Soul, ©1987, Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263.
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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES
Feast Day: January 24th
(1567-1622)
Bishop of Geneva, Switzerland and a Doctor of the Church 
FRANCIS was born of noble and pious parents, near Annecy, A.D. 1567, and studied with brilliant success at Paris and Padua. On his return from Italy he gave up the grand Career which his father had marked out for him in the service of the State, and became a priest. He studied at Annecy, Paris, France and Padua, Italy. He received a doctorate in law at the age of twenty-four. He was ordained a priest in 1593. When the Duke of Savoy had resolved to restore the Church in the Chablais, Francis offered himself for the work, and set out on foot with his Bible and breviary and one companion, his cousin Louis of Sales. It was a work of toil, privation, and danger. Every door and every heart were closed against him. He was rejected with insult and threatened with death. But nothing could daunt or resist him, and ere long the Church burst forth into a second spring. It is stated that he converted 72,000 Calvinists. He was then compelled by the Pope to become Coadjutor Bishop of Geneva, and succeeded the see A.D. 1602. At times the exceeding gentleness with which he received heretics and sinners almost scandalized his ends, and one of them said to him, " Francis of Sales will go to Paradise, of course; but I am not so sure of the Bishop of Geneva: I am almost afraid his gentleness will play him a shrewd turn." "Ah," said the saint, " I would rather account to God for too great gentleness than for too great severity. Is not God all love? God the Father is the Father of mercy; God the Son is a Lamb; God the Holy Ghost is a Dove, that is, gentleness itself. And are you wiser than God ?" He became an outstanding confessor and spiritual director and spiritually guided Blessed Marie Acarie and St. Jane Francis de Chantal. He founded several schools. He was gifted in spiritual writing and wrote the spiritual classics: Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God. In union with St: Jane Frances of Chantal he founded at Annecy the Order of the Visitation, which soon spread over Europe. Though poor, he refused provisions and dignities, and even the great see of Paris. He died at Avignon, A.D. 1622. He was canonized in 1653 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877. REFLECTION.-"You will catch more flies," St. Francis used to say, " with a spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels of vinegar. Were there any thing better or fairer on earth than gentleness, Jesus Christ would have taught it us ; and yet he has given us only two lessons to learn of him—meekness and humility of heart." Excerpt from Saint Francis de Sales' book, Introduction to the Devout Life: CHAPTER XVII. NINTH MEDITATION. On the Choice upon to you between Heaven and Hell. Preparation. 1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God. 2. Humble yourself before Him, and ask His inspiration. Considerations. 1. Imagine yourself alone with your good angel (46) in an open plain, as was Tobit on his way to Rages. Suppose the Angel to set before you Paradise, full of delights and joys; and on the other hand Hell, with all its torments. Contemplate both, kneeling in imagination before your guardian Angel. Consider that you are most truly standing between Hell and Paradise, and that both the one and the other are open to receive you, according to your own choice. 2. Consider that the choice you make in this life will last for ever in the next. 3. Consider too, that while both are open to receive you according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the while desires unspeakably that you should select Paradise; and your good Angel is urging you with all his might to do so, offering you countless graces on God's part, countless helps to attain to it. 4. Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation: "O beloved one, come unto Me, and joy for ever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!" Behold His mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness--" Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation." Behold the Saints, who have left you their example, the (47) millions of holy souls who long after you, desiring earnestly that you may one day be for ever joined to them in their song of praise, urging upon you that the road to Heaven is not so hard to find as the world would have you think. "Press on boldly, dear friend,"--they cry. "Whoso will ponder well the path by which we came hither, will discover that we attained to these present delights by sweeter joys than any this world can give." The Choice. 1. O Hell, I abhor thee now and for ever; I abhor thy griefs and torments, thine endless misery, the unceasing blasphemies and maledictions which thou pourest out upon my God;--and turning to thee, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose thee for ever as my abode, thy glorious mansions, thy precious and abiding tabernacles. O my God, I bless Thy Mercy which gives me the power to choose--O Jesus, Saviour, I accept Thine Eternal Love, and praise Thee for the promise Thou hast given me of a place prepared for me in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and bless Thee for ever. 2. Dwell lovingly upon the example set before you by the Blessed Virgin and the Saints, and strive to follow where they point you. Give (48) yourself up to your guardian Angel, that he may be your guide, and gird up your courage anew to make this choice. ****** To see the entire book, go to this link: Introduction to the Devout Life MORE ON SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES FROM BUTLER'S LIVES OF THE SAINTS |
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THE LITANY OF MARY,
MOTHER OF GOD. 
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of the Church,
pray for us.
Mother of Divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honour,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of angels,
pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of peace,
pray for us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,
spare us, 0 Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, 0 Lord
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, 0 Holy Mother of God,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Grant, we beg You,
0 Lord God,
that we Your servants
may enjoy lasting health
of mind and body,
and by the glorious intercession
of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
be delivered from present sorrow
and enter into the joy
of eternal happiness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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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 |
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION IN THE STATE OF GRACE "Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of Grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament penance." Sec. 1415. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Saint and Pope John Paul II. Catholic Government officials who endorse the legalization and the acceptance of abortion are involved with mortal sin and should not receive Holy Communion until they have repented and confessed their sins to a priest. They have violated the sixth commandment, "Thou Shall not Kill." Anyone who has voted intentionally for Pro Abortion candidates with the intent of allowing abortions to take place in a country should not receive Holy Communion until they have repented and confessed their sins to a priest. "If a person conscious of mortal sin receive this sacrament, he "eateth and drinketh judment to himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29). Such receiving adds to the sin already on the reciver's soul, the new mortal sin of sacrilege." Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, The Third Part, Question 80. Tour of the Summa, Msgr. Paul J. Glenn. Summa Theologica: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/4080.htm#article4 I answer that, In this sacrament, as in the others, that which is a sacrament is a sign of the reality of the sacrament. Now there is a twofold reality of this sacrament, as stated above (III:73:6): one which is signified and contained, namely, Christ Himself; while the other is signified but not contained, namely, Christ's mystical body, which is the fellowship of the saints. Therefore, whoever receives this sacrament, expresses thereby that he is made one with Christ, and incorporated in His members; and this is done by living faith, which no one has who is in mortal sin. And therefore it is manifest that whoever receives this sacrament while in mortal sin, is guilty of lying to this sacrament, and consequently of sacrilege, because he profanes the sacrament: and therefore he sins mortally. |
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LITANY OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS 
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, heal us. Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, heal us. Blood of Christ, of the new and Eternal Testament, heal us. Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, heal us. Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, heal us. Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, heal us. Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, heal us. Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation, heal us. Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, heal us. Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, heal us. Blood of Christ, river of mercy, heal us. Blood of Christ, Victor over demons, heal us. Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs, heal us. Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors, heal us. Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, heal us. Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril, heal us. Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened, heal us. Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow, heal us. Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent, heal us. Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, heal us. Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts, heal us. Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life, heal us. Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory, 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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 OUR LADY OF THE ROSARYFEAST DAY: OCTOBER 7THHAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE,
THE LORD IS WITH THEE,
BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN,
AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS,
HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,
PRAY FOR US SINNERS
NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
AMEN! SEE SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S BOOK ON THE ROSARY: THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY THE VIRGIN MARY POURS OUT SPECIAL GRACES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE ROSARY! SAINT PADRE PIO PRAYED HIS ROSARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WOULD SAY AT LEAST 15 DECADES OF THE ROSARY EACH DAY. THE MESSAGE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD WITH BEFORE HE DIED WAS FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY THE ROSARY.
Our Lady of the Rosary From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the Rosary. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on October 7, the anniversary of the decisive victory of the combined Christian fleet in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, defeating an Ottoman fleet off western Greece. It was formerly sometimes known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory.
According to Dominican tradition, in 1214, St. Dominic was in Prouille, France attempting to convert the Albigensians back to the Catholic faith. The young priest had little success until one day he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics.[1] While Mary's giving the rosary to St. Dominic is generally acknowledged as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic, including the 15th century priest and teacher, Alanus de Rupe.[2] On December 3, 1836, Fr. Charles Eléonor des Genettes had an interior locution directing him to dedicate the parish of Our Lady of Victory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3] 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. 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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- 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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 SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus came into the Catholic faith through a Catholic sister known as Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690). At the age of 24, Margaret Mary entered the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial in France. She began to have visions of Our Lord and on December 27, 1673, on the Feast of St. John, she began to have visions that lasted for eighteen months. Jesus told her that she was to become his instrument in spreading devotion to his Sacred Heart. While kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lord appeared to her and invited her to "rest a long time on His Divine Breast". Jesus revealed to her the marvels of the love that His Sacred Heart had for mankind. Jesus said to her: "MY DIVINE HEART IS SO FULL OF LOVE FOR MEN AND FOR YOU IN PARTICULAR THAT, NO LONGER ABLE TO CONTAIN WITHIN ITSELF THE FLAMES OF ITS BURNING CHARITY, IT MUST SPREAD THESE FLAMES BY MEANS OF YOU, AND IT MUST MANIFEST ITSELF TO MEN IN ORDER TO ENRICH THEM WITH ITS PRECIOUS TREASURES. I HAVE CHOSEN YOU TO ACHIEVE THIS GRAND CRUSADE OF LOVE." Saint Margaret Mary had frequent visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. According to Saint Margaret Mary, His Divine Heart was "more radiant than the sun and as transparent as crystal," with its adorable wound visible, and as a "furnace" of burning flames. In June, 1675: during the feast of Corpus Christi, while praying before Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Monstrance. Our Lord revealed His Heart to her and said: "HERE IS THE HEART THAT HAS SO LOVED MEN AS TO SPARE NOTHING FOR THEM, EXHAUSTING AND CONSUMING ITSELF IN ORDER TO PROVE ITS LOVE FOR THEM; AND IN RETURN I RECEIVE, FROM MOST OF THEM, ONLY INGRATITUDE." Jesus asked her to have a special feast established in honor of His Sacred Heart on the Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi. Jesus asked his followers to receive Holy Communion on that day and to make atonement for the sins of the world by an act of reparation. Jesus asked her to have an image made of His Sacred Heart and to have it promoted throughout the world with special promises to those souls who would display His image of His Sacred Heart. She consulted with her enlightened spiritual director whom God had given her. On the following Friday, June 21, Father de la Colombiere, her priest-director, and Saint Margaret Mary consecrated themselves to the Sacred Heart. With great sufferings and humiliations, Father de la Colombiere and Saint Margaret Mary made every effort to spread the new devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Lord Jesus revealed to Saint Margaret Mary the following promises to those souls who would honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: "1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. "2. I will establish peace in their homes. "3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions. "4. I will be their secure refuge during life and above all in death. "5. I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings. "6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy. "7. Tepid souls shall grow fervent. "8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. "9. I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored. "10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. "11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out. "12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the first Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment." The Litany of the Sacred Heart of JesusLord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us R. Have mercy on us.
God the Father of Heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God, Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost,
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revilings, .
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities,
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, .
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, oh Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Christ graciously spare us.
Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart. R. Make our hearts like unto Thine. Let us pray - Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.
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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. Universal Treasurer of God’s Graces 10. God has entrusted Mary with the keeping, the administration and distribution of all His graces, so that all His graces and gifts pass through her hands; and , as St. Bernardine teaches, Mary gives to whom she wills, the way she wills, when she wills and as much as she wills, the graces of the Eternal Father, the virtues of Jesus Christ and the gifts of the Holy Ghost.---THE SECRET OF MARY, Saint Louis de Montfort Prayer of Petition O Ever-Virgin Mother of God and Mediatrix of Grace who art the House of Gold within which dwells thy Son, our Mediator, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech thee to grant our requests for our salvation and the salvation of the entire world. (Here pause and make your requests) Keep us close to the Vicar of thy Son in the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church. Hear our prayer and grant the requests we make to thee. St. Joseph, Intercede for us.
St. Jude Thaddeus, Pray for us.
St. Mary of Cleophas, Pray for us.
St. Philip Neri, Pray for us.
St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Pray for us.
St. Maximillian Kolbe, Pray for us. |
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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, 1969–1979)
Auxiliary bishop of New York (1951–1966)
Titular bishop of Caesariana (1951–1966)
Orders
Ordination September 20, 1919
by Edmund M. Dunne
Consecration June 11, 1951
by Adeodato Giovanni Piazza
Personal details
Birth name Peter John Sheen
Born May 8, 1895[1]
El Paso, Illinois,[1] United States
Died December 9, 1979 (aged 84)
New York City, United States
Buried St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City (1979–2019)
St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois (since 2019)
Nationality American
Denomination Roman Catholic
Residence El Paso, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Minnesota
Washington, D.C.
Louvain, Belgium
Rome, Italy
London, UK
New York City
Rochester, New York
Occupation Catholic archbishop, and televangelist and radio host on philosophy and theology
Profession Catholic archbishop and evangelist
Alma mater
St. Viator College
St. Paul Seminary
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of Leuven
Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Motto Da per matrem me venire (English: Grant that I may come [to You] through the mother [Mary])
Signature Fulton J. Sheen's signature
Coat of arms Fulton J. Sheen's coat of arms
Sainthood
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church (especially in the United States sees of Peoria, Rochester, and New York City)
Title as Saint Venerable
Attributes Archbishop's attire
Shrines Tomb (presently in St. Mary's Cathedral, Peoria, Illinois; formerly in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City); birthplace museum in El Paso, Illinois; Fulton Sheen Museum in the Diocesan Museums, Spalding Pastoral Center, Peoria; papers held at a theology school near Rochester, New York)
Ordination history of
Fulton J. Sheen
History
Episcopal succession
Styles of
Fulton J. Sheen
Reference style The Most Reverend
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Your Excellency
Posthumous style Venerable
Fulton John Sheen (born Peter John Sheen, May 8, 1895 – December 9, 1979) was an American bishop (later archbishop) of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in 1919,[1] Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America as well as acting as a parish priest before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966, when he was made the Bishop of Rochester. He resigned in 1969[2] as his 75th birthday approached, and was made the Archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as Father Sheen, later Monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format very similar to that of the earlier Life is Worth Living show. For this work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time Magazine.[3] Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks.[4] Due to his contribution to televised preaching, Sheen is often referred to as one of the first televangelists.[5]
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues" – a major step towards beatification – and he is now referred to as "Venerable."[6][7] On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle that occurred through the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification.[8]
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 Engstrom’s third pregnancy was unlike any of her others. “My husband Travis and I had a really beautiful experience during the pregnancy with God providing for us and taking care of us,” she tells me. “We really felt like we were on the brink on something really special and amazing, even more than with the other babies. We would joke about how I must be pregnant with the future Pope because God was really faithful and generous with us throughout.”
I spoke to Bonnie days before the Vatican announced that its theologians had approved the miracle that occurred in her life, after she sought the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the charismatic American televangelist who died in 1979.
Fulton Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, close to where Bonnie Engstrom was raised. He was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, where Bonnie, her husband and five children now live. “I’ve always kind of known who he was because he was a local boy,” she explains when I ask how her devotion to Fulton Sheen developed. “But when I was pregnant with James, I started doing some research into his life and I started watching YouTube videos. So that was how I really started to appreciate who he was. Listening to him preach and seeing how powerful and dynamic he was that was when my devotion to him started to grow.”
Bonnie’s “beautiful” pregnancy, coloured by a deepening devotion to Sheen, was followed by a beautiful labour “covered in prayer”. “James’s pregnancy had been a really healthy and normal pregnancy and we were planning my third home birth with him. The day I went into labour was a pretty normal day so I just kind of did what you do when you’re going to give birth. I have to say it was a really beautiful September evening and it felt really special. I was in active labour at night. I was praying, which was really important, and I knew that I had a bunch of people praying for me. It was a beautiful
labour. It really was.”
It is especially cruel when tragedy strikes within seconds of euphoria. Moments after James’s birth, the abundant joy of the previous nine months abruptly died: Bonnie’s baby was stillborn.
“When James was born the midwife scooped him up and put him in my hands. But I noticed that his legs and arms dangled down. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t breathing. He wasn’t crying, he was kind of a blue colour. So I held him for a second and then my midwife took him and she began CPR.”
It was at this point that Bonnie fell into a state shock. Her friend, who was present at the birth, called an ambulance and her husband calmly performed an emergency baptism. At the moment that Travis traced water on his son¹s forehead and baptised him James Fulton, Bonnie’s friend began to pray for the intercession of the newborn¹s namesake.
“At that moment, in my head I couldn’t really think of anything,” Bonnie says. “But in my head I was saying Fulton Sheen’s name over and over again. And that was my way of praying by calling on his name.”
By the time the paramedics arrived there was still no pulse. Bonnie spent the 20-minute journey to the hospital in a separate ambulance from her husband and baby, lying alone, unaware if her son was dead or alive.
Fulton
When they arrived at the hospital it was Travis’s turn to endure a solitary, harrowing wait. He lingered outside the hospital emergency room while doctors desperately tried to resuscitate his baby.
Five men eventually emerged with tears in their eyes. “They said to him: ‘Your son is alive’ and Travis understood in that moment that what they were really saying was: ‘He’s alive now but just for right now.’ The fact that they were crying meant that he knew that things were really bad.
“But when he came to see me, what he said to me was: ‘James is alive and everything’s going to be OK’, because he just had faith. My husband had faith. It was amazing. And because I was still in a state of shock I naïvely accepted it. My husband just had the faith in that moment.”
The miraculous breath had come after 61 excruciating minutes. James had breathed again at the moment doctors gave up their efforts and stopped to record his time of death.
“They then took me to the neonatal intensive care unit and then I saw how bad he looked. He was covered in wires and he wasn¹t breathing on his own. They had knocked him out. They had intubated him. Yeah, it was really…”
Bonnie’s voice begins to crack and she summons up the composure to complete the sentence: “…it was really sad.”
A small pause follows before she quietly adds: “It’s such a little word but I hope it conveys…” She trails off again. “It was really sad.”
Bonnie starts to explain to me the full extent of the miracle. “The way my doctor explained it to me was: ‘It’s amazing that James came back to life and it¹s a miracle that he is doing as well as he is.¹ Because he should have had massive organ failure and then they expected him to be very severely disabled. Then they thought that he would have very severe cerebral palsy. They thought that he would have to be strapped to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, have a feeding tube and probably be blind. They thought that mentally he would not be aware of anything. It was supposed to be pretty grim and that was if he even lived.”
Bonnie was able to bring her baby home after seven weeks in hospital. “As he continued I think they gave us an increasingly better prognosis. So it went from very severely disabled to: ‘OK, so he’s going to have cerebral palsy. We just don¹t know what it will look like.’ But he continued to get better and seemed more and more like a normal baby… I mean, there was always some big question marks for about the first six to 12 months just because he was a baby, so we had to wait for him to hit his milestones to know how complete the miracle was.
“But my husband, and I and family and friends, were all at home interacting with James when he was two and a half months old, when he was five months old, and were sitting there thinking: ‘This kid is normal. He’s like any of our other babies we¹ve seen at this age. This really is a miracle.'”
Bonnie still prays to Fulton Sheen and he remains a central figure in her family’s life. I asked her what she most admired about him.
“The day he was ordained he made a promise to God that he would keep a holy hour every single day for the rest of his life and he kept that promise,” she says. “So for over 60 years he made a holy hour every single day and that devotion to the Eucharist is really a wonderful example for me. I think it would be a wonderful example to the world, which is why I hope he is a canonised saint.
“He would have to be really creative sometimes and he would find a church in the middle of nowhere to make that holy hour to keep that promise. He was really loyal to Christ and that prayer time meant a lot to him. His example is really beautiful to me.”
Bonnie also tells me that Sheen heroically carried many burdens, but only confided them to very few people who have refused to speak about them since. When St John Paul II visited St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in 1979 he was surprised to discover Sheen was not concelebrating Mass. When Sheen was invited to come forward, the pope embraced him, telling him: “You are a loyal son of the Church.” Sheen died a few months later.
“He suffered a lot,” Bonnie says. “But he never really talked about his suffering. Only the people closest to him knew about the pain in his body and the pain in his heart, and even they will not talk about it. Fulton Sheen didn¹t want to talk about it, because he didn¹t want to create scandal and feed gossip. That¹s just beautiful.”
“Nowadays if we have a problem with someone we write it on Facebook. But he really bore that internally. So when John Paul II sought him out and embraced him that was a really powerful moment.
“I think it was two months later that he died so it was a really beautiful ending to his life, to have the Holy Father tell him: ‘You are a faithful son of the Church.’ I mean, gosh, I would probably die too if Pope Francis said that to me.” 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 7THHAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE,
THE LORD IS WITH THEE,
BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN,
AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS,
HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,
PRAY FOR US SINNERS
NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
AMEN! SEE SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S BOOK ON THE ROSARY: THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY THE VIRGIN MARY POURS OUT SPECIAL GRACES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE ROSARY! SAINT PADRE PIO PRAYED HIS ROSARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WOULD SAY AT LEAST 15 DECADES OF THE ROSARY EACH DAY. THE MESSAGE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD WITH BEFORE HE DIED WAS FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY THE ROSARY.
Our Lady of the RosaryFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the Rosary. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on October 7, the anniversary of the decisive victory of the combined Christian fleet in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, defeating an Ottoman fleet off western Greece. It was formerly sometimes known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory.
According to Dominican tradition, in 1214, St. Dominic was in Prouille, France attempting to convert the Albigensians back to the Catholic faith. The young priest had little success until one day he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics.[1] While Mary's giving the rosary to St. Dominic is generally acknowledged as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic, including the 15th century priest and teacher, Alanus de Rupe.[2] On December 3, 1836, Fr. Charles Eléonor des Genettes had an interior locution directing him to dedicate the parish of Our Lady of Victory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3] 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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Prayer to Mary, Undoer of KnotsVirgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot. [Mention your request here] I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.
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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 | | | Preface by the Author | COUNSELS AND PRACTICES SUITABLE FOR THE SOUL'S GUIDANCE FROM THE FIRST ASPIRATION AFTER A DEVOUT LIFE TO THE POINT WHEN IT ATTAINS A CONFIRMED RESOLUTION TO FOLLOW THE SAME. | | I. | What True Devotion is . . . 1 | | II. | The Nature and Excellence of Devotion . . . 5 | | III. | Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession . . . 8 | | IV. | The Need of a Guide for those Who Would enter upon and advance in the Devout Life ...11 | | V. | The First Step must be Purifying the Soul . . . 15 | | VI. | The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin . . . 18 | | VII. | The Second Purification, from all Sinful Affections . . . 20 | | VIII. | How to effect this Second Purification . . . 22 | | IX. | First Meditation--Of Creation . . . 24 | | X. | Second Meditation--Of the End for which we were Created . . . 27 | | XI. | Third Meditation--Of the Gifts of God . . . 30 | | XII. | Fourth Meditation--On Sin . . . 32 | | XIII. | Fifth Meditation--On Death . . . 35 | | XIV. | Sixth Meditation--On Judgment . . . 38 | | XV. | Seventh Meditation--Of Hell . . . 41 | | XVI. | Eighth Meditation--On Paradise . . . 43 | | XVII. | Ninth Meditation On the Choice open to you between Heaven and Hell . . . 45 | | XVIII. | Tenth Meditation--How the Soul chooses the Devout Life . . . 48 | | XIX. | How to make a General Confession . . . 51 | | XX. | A hearty Protest made with the object of confirming the Soul's resolution to serve God, as a conclusion to its Acts of Penitence . . . 53 | | XXI. | Conclusion of this First Purification . . . 56 | | XXII. | The Necessity of Purging away all tendency to Venial Sins . . . 57 | | XXIII. | It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things . . . 60 | | XXIV. | All Evil Inclinations must be purged away . . . 62 | CONTAINING SUNDRY COUNSELS AS TO UPLIFTING THE SOUL TO GOD IN PRAYER AND THE USE OF THE SACRAMENTS. | | I. | The Necessity of Prayer . . . 64 | | II. | A short Method of Meditation. And first, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation . . . 68 | | III. | Invocation, the Second Point of Preparation . . . 72 | | IV. | The Third Point of Preparation, representing the Mystery to be meditated to your Imagination . . . 73 | | V. | Considerations, the Second Part of Meditation . . . 74 | | VI. | The Third Part of Meditation, Affections and Resolutions . . . 75 | | VII. | The Conclusion and Spiritual Bouquet . . . 77 | | VIII. | Some Useful Hints as to Meditation . . . 78 | | IX. | Concerning Dryness in Meditation . . . 81 | | X. | Morning Prayer . . . 83 | | XI. | Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience . . . 85 | | XII. | On Spiritual Retirement . . . 87 | | XIII. | Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer and Holy Thoughts . . . 90 | | XIV. | Of Holy Communion, and how to join in it . . . 98 | | XV. | Of the other Public Offices of the Church . . . 101 | | XVI. | How the Saints are united to us . . . 103 | | XVII. | How to Hear and Read God's Word . . . 105 | | XVIII. | How to receive Inspirations . . . 107 | | XIX. | On Confession . . . 111 | | XX. | Of Frequent Communion . . . 116 | | XXI. | How to Communicate . . . 120 | CONTAINING COUNSELS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE. | | I. | How to select that which we should chiefly Practise . . . 124 | | II. | The same Subject continued . . . 131 | | III. | On Patience . . . 136 | | IV. | On Exterior Humility . . . 142 | | V. | On Interior Humility . . . 147 | | VI. | Humility makes us rejoice in our own Abjection . . . 153 | | VII. | How to combine due care for a Good Reputation with Humility . . . 158 | | VIII. | Gentleness towards others and Remedies against Anger . . . 163 | | IX. | On Gentleness towards Ourselves . . . 169 | | X. | We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety . . . 173 | | XI. | On Obedience . . . 176 | | XII. | On Purity . . . 180 | | XIII. | How to maintain Purity . . . 182 | | XIV. | On Poverty of Spirit amid Riches . . . 185 | | XV. | How to exercise real Poverty, although actually Rich . . . 188 | | XVI. | How to possess a rich Spirit amid real Poverty . . . 193 | | XVII. | On Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship . . . 196 | | XVIII. | On Frivolous Attachments . . . 198 | | XIX. | Of Real Friendship . . . 201 | | XX. | Of the Difference between True and False Friendship . . . 205 | | XXI. | Remedies against Evil Friendships . . . 208 | | XXII. | Further Advice concerning Intimacies . . . 212 | | XXIII. | On the Practice of Bodily Mortification . . . 215 | | XXIV. | Of Society and Solitude . . . 223 | | XXV. | On Modesty in Dress . . . 227 | | XXVI. | Of Conversation; and, first, how to Speak of God . . . 229 | | XXVII. | Of Unseemly Words, and the Respect due to Others . . . 231 | | XXVIII. | Of Hasty Judgments . . . 234 | | XXIX. | On Slander . . . 241 | | XXX. | Further Counsels as to Conversation . . . 249 | | XXXI. | Of Amusements and Recreations: what are allowable . . . 252 | | XXXII. | Of Forbidden Amusements . . . 254 | | XXXIII. | Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements . . . 255 | | XXXIV. | When to use such Amusements rightly . . . 259 | | XXXV. | We must be Faithful in Things Great and Small . . . 260 | | XXXVI. | Of a Well-balanced, Reasonable Mind . . . 264 | | XXXVII. | Of Wishes . . . 267 | | XXXVIII. | Counsels to Married People . . . 270 | | XXXIX. | The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed . . . 280 | | XL. | Counsels to Widows . . . 281 | | XLI. | One Word to Maidens . . . 289 | CONTAINING NEEDFUL COUNSELS CONCERNING SOME ORDINARY TEMPTATIONS. | | I. | We must not trifle with the Words of worldly Wisdom . . . 290 | | II. | The need of a Good Courage . . . 294 | | III. | Of Temptations, and the difference between experiencing them and consenting to them . . . 296 | | IV. | Two striking illustrations of the same . . . 300 | | V. | Encouragement for the Tempted Soul . . . 302 | | VI. | When Temptation and Delectation are Sin . . . 304 | | VII. | Remedies for Great Occasions . . . 307 | | VIII. | How to resist Minor Temptations . . . 310 | | IX. | How to remedy Minor Temptations . . . 311 | | X. | How to strengthen the Heart against Temptation . . . 313 | | XI. | Anxiety of Mind . . . 315 | | XII. | Of Sadness and Sorrow . . . 319 | | XIII. | Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and how to receive them . . . 323 | | XIV. | Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness . . . 333 | | XV. | In Illustration . . . 340 | CONTAINING COUNSELS AND PRACTICES FOR RENEWING AND CONFIRMING THE SOUL IN DEVOTION. | | I. | It is well yearly to renew Good Resolutions by means of the following Exercises . . . 346 | | II. | Meditation on the Benefit conferred on us by God in calling us to His Service . . . 348 | | III. | Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life . . . 351 | | IV. | Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards God . . . 354 | | V. | Examination of your Condition as regards yourself . . . 357 | | VI. | Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards our Neighbour . . . 358 | | VII. | Examination as to the Affections of the Soul . . . 359 | | VIII. | The Affections to be excited after such Examination . . . 361 | | IX. | Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions . . . 362 | | X. | First Consideration--Of the Worth of Souls . . . 363 | | XI. | Second Consideration--On the Excellence of Virtue . . . 364 | | XII. | The Example of the Saints . . . 366 | | XIII. | The Love which Jesus Christ bears to us . . . 367 | | XIV. | The Eternal Love of God for us . . . 369 | | XV. | General Affections which should result from these Considerations, and Conclusion of the Exercise . . . 370 | | XVI. | The Impressions which should remain after this Exercise . . . 372 | | XVII. | An Answer to Two Objections which may be made to this Book . . . 373 | | XVIII. | Three Important and Final Counsels . . . 375 |
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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! ___________ 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 |
| 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 2023
For educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching
fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and
most vulnerable above all.
FEBRUARY
For parishes
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the centre,
may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and
welcome towards those most in need.
MARCH
For victims of abuse
We pray for those who have suffered harm from members of the
Church; may they find within the Church herself a concrete
response to their pain and suffering.
APRIL
For a culture of peace and non violence
We pray for the spread of peace and non violence, by decreasing
the use of weapons by States and citizens.
MAY
For church movements and groups
We pray that Church movements and groups may rediscover their
mission of evangelization each day, placing their own charisms
at the service of needs in the world.
JUNE
For the abolition of torture
We pray that the international community may commit in
a concrete way to ensuring the abolition of torture and
guarantee support to victims and their families.
For a Eucharistic life
We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of the
Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming human
relationships in a very deep way and opening to the encounter
with God and all their brothers and sisters.
AUGUST
For World Youth Day
We pray the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to
live and witness the Gospel in their own lives.
For people living on the margins
We pray for those persons living on the margins of
society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked
by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.
OCTOBER
For the Synod
We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening
and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to
be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the
world.
NOVEMBER
For the Pope
We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he
continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help
of the Holy Spirit.
DECEMBER
For persons with disabilities
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at
the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may
offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
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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
| | Each standard size cross-mark represents 50,000 people killed. The smaller cross-marks represent less than 50,000 deaths. The war casualties represent all American combat-related deaths. Statistics from 1982 World Almanac. | | REVOLUTIONARY WAR 25,324 † | | CIVIL WAR 496,332 †††††††††† | | WORLD WAR I 116,708 ††† | | WORLD WAR II 407,316 ††††††††† | | KOREAN WAR 54,246 †† | | VIETNAM WAR 58,655 †† | WAR ON UNBORN CHILDREN OVER 59,440,015
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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. ____________ 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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