Welcome 2019
Mama Mary, pray for us. Lord have mercy on us all.
Welcome 2019
Mama Mary, pray for us. Lord have mercy on us all.
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and made his dwelling among us,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
This Christmas, my husband surprised me with a gift only our Lord could inspire him to get me. One which will be shared with two thousand souls.
As I have been going through testing for MS, my doctor placed me on a diet. One I was not thrilled about. Its completely gluten free. No flour of any kind that contained any wheat. Not to test me for celiac disease, but to see if I have a sensitivity to gluten which may be causing any of the symptoms I may be having. One of the issues I had with this diet, was that I would not be able to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. I can, however, receive Him through the Sacred Blood, which is available at my parish.
The day I had gotten home from the doctor, just a few days before my birthday, I had told my husband about the strict diet. I let him know my thoughts about the whole thing and I wasn’t exactly happy about not being able to receive our Lord, nor have birthday cake, nor anything through Christmas with flour in it. It was only temporary, but the timing of this, was not exactly the best, or so I thought.
Since this last bout of what ever this may be has come about in June, I have noticed a beautiful change in my husband, in which he as become very attentive and caring, pulling the two of us much closer than we had ever been at any time in our marriage.
For the past few weeks on this strange diet I had been very good. I have been avoiding everything so we could see just how much of a change would take place. I made cookies and all sorts of sweets for Christmas, offering up the fact that I couldn’t even taste them. This is only a temporary diet, and by my next doctor appointment, I will be able to have what I could not, again.
On Christmas Morning, as we were opening up gifts, my husband handed me my stocking. I pulled out two boxes and looked at them with a puzzled look on my face. I couldn’t tell what they were. My husband looked at me and said, “I know you would NEVER buy them for yourself, so I wanted to get them for you, because I know how important it is. I don’t know if they are okay to use, and I’m not sure they can be, because I know there are rules, but I wanted you to have them.”. He then preceded to tell me they were two boxes of hosts. Although, gluten free hosts.
My jaw must have hit the floor when he told me what he had done for me. In that very moment, it was as if our Lord was speaking to me. I didn’t know what to say. I was in awe at the gift. This gift meant everything to me. Granted, they can not be used, as there are strict stipulations on Communion Bread in the Catholic Church. I looked at my husband as if I was looking into the eyes of our Lord. The love that consumed me at that very moment, will never be forgotten.
As the day progressed, the thought of this gift inflamed my heart so deep in love. I looked at them, pondering our Lord, opened them and seen the ingredients, knowing full well at that moment, they were not usable for Catholic Mass. So driven by love, we purchased two boxes of usable Hosts with wheat, and when they are delivered, we will give them to our parish as a gift of our Lord that will be shared with all.
Merry Christmas!
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“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
Merry Christmas
Peace!
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But the Pope… But the Bishops…. But liturgical abuse…. But the latest scandal….. But he… But she… But they….. But I……. But the__________. (enter complaint du jour here)
1 If I speak in human and angelic tongues* but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.a2 And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.b3 If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.c
4 * Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,d5 it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,e6 it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.f
8 * Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.9 For we know partially and we prophesy partially,10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.11 When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. 12 At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.g 13* So faith, hope, love remain, these three;h but the greatest of these is love.
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O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
O Emmanuel, rex et legisfer noster, espectatio gentium et salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine Deus noster.
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O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
O Rex gentium et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum,: veni et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
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O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis.
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O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis et nemo claudit; claudis et nemo aperit: veni et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris et umbra mortis.
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O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
O radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare
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O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
O Adonai et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in bracchio extento
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And so we begin the O Antiphons…
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter sauviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae
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“And I saw the river over which every soul must pass
to reach the kingdom of heaven
and the name of that river was suffering:
and I saw a boat which carries souls across the river
and the name of that boat was love.”
St. John of the Cross
Excellent read over at Church Life Journal to keep my readers busy in contemplation for today, the Feast of St. John of the Cross.
St. John of the Cross, pray for us
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Pondering:
“If I speak in human and angelic tongues -but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1
Our faith is like a language the soul must learn. The ultimate language of Love. IF it is not “spoken” at all times, it becomes a broken language, mixed with our own, which express some Word but not fully.
If it is not “spoken” in the home, it is not being practiced. If it is not “spoken” at work, it is being forgotten and not shared. If it is only spoken for 45 minutes on Sunday, then one is not interested in becoming “fluent” in Love, and simply not applying what is needed to speak and live it fluently. And all the times it is UNSPOKEN, opens the door to the soul for sin and separation from our Lord.
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ATTN: Prayer Request: Through the Intercession of Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel,
Praised be Jesus Christ! A prayer request for Damian Jude Cooper, a little eight-year-old boy who is having critical cancer surgery on December 12. This message comes from the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Mexico and South America, and from myself.
If you could please pray for Damian and also circulate this message, we would be most grateful!
Yours in Jesus, Mary, and Mother Luisita,
Fr. Donald Kinney, OCD
PRAYER:
O Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, King and center of all hearts! Look with merciful love on the petitions we present to You through the intercession of Your servant, Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
(Pause and request your petition)
We humbly beseech You to glorify her who was always such a fervent lover of Your Sacred Heart by granting us these favors if they are for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.
Damian Jude Cooper, an 8-year old who has become a friend of the
Sisters, was diagnosed with a very serious form of bone cancer in July.
Damian is currently going through aggressive treatment at City of
Hope, and has good days and difficult days, but inspired us greatly with
his faith and joy amid suffering. (PLEASE CONTINUE READING HERE)
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My family and I were out at dinner last light, celebrating my birthday. Even in these moments, contemplation of our Lord takes place.
As we sat down and the server took our orders, he had placed a few coasters down to hold our drinks. On the coasters were a picture of gift with the words “Loyalty Is Rewarded”. As I looked at the printed gift and pondered the words, immediately my thoughts were brought to our Lord on the cross and the small group of followers who stayed with Him. Looking at the picture of the Christmas gift on the coaster, on a side bar, were some words with the highlighted enlarged words “STEAK”. I thought of how we often rip through the wrapping without noticing at all the real gift. Would anyone notice the presence of our Lord in a crowded place as this, in such a simple way as this? Can anyone assess the real presence in our midst in Word?
If you look at the photo above, although not a photo of what I had seen, I will tell you what our Lord was showing me in the gift.
The ribbons in the cross pattern, showing me the Cross of our Lord and the bow in the center being our Lord on the cross.
“Loyalty Is Rewarded”
LOYALTY
Definition
Constancy in allegiance to God or the things of God; steadfastness in fidelity to a person or cause, organization or enterprise. Implicit in loyalty is strong affection based on firm conviction that the object of one’s fidelity deserves the allegiance. (Etym. Latin legalis, of or belonging to the law, legal.)
And all while contemplating this, the server came back and took our orders. I had ordered a steak, cooked medium. You may say what does this have to do with anything? I did also at the time.
The server left and the conversation began again with all of us at the table. We prayed grace before our meal came.
I took hold of that coaster again as it was drawing my attention to the word “STEAK”. What is at steak? Well, our Lord was on the stake, and all of us are at stake. For some reason, I began to ponder the Gospel of Matt. 25:23
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’
I began to tell our Lord interiorly, forgive me Lord, I ordered my steak medium and not well done. I hope the life I am leading is pleasing to you and I am never lukewarm.
The server returned and with him, brought our meal. As he placed my order in front of me, what should have been a steak cooked medium, was dark and black. It looked burnt. I stopped for a moment just staring at it. Recalling what was taking place in my contemplation of Him. Without saying a word, I cut into the black steak, and it was perfect.
This coming of our Lord, at Christmas, as we rip apart the wrapping to get to what is hidden underneath, may we never lose sight of Him in our hearts, His commands and His promise to us:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
A blessed Second Week of Advent to all.
Filed under Prayers, Reflections, Uncategorized
O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised, and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint, from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your companion in glory. Amen.
Prayer:
My glorious father St. John of the Cross; overflowing with love for Mary and for the cross of her divine Son by which you merited to become the protector of afflicted souls, obtain for me from Jesus and Mary, I beseech you, an unwavering faith and a love of the cross so deep and so valiant that no possible misfortune will ever be able to separate me from the love of my God. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make your request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
Glorious St. John of the Cross, you preserved to death in unspotted brilliancy the radiant whiteness of your baptismal innocence, while nevertheless practicing the most cruel and persevering penance. In honor and imitation of this crucifying love, I entreat you that I may share your mortified and penitential life so that, even in this world, I may receive the grace to atone for my many sins, purify my soul, and acquire merit, that I may also enjoy heaven’s glory with you. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make your request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
O my beloved father St. John of the Cross, your continual prayer merited for you the name of Ecstatic Doctor, favored with special graces in the guidance and direction of souls. I humbly beg you to enlighten my soul and to give me a relish for holy meditation that, detached from earthly things, I may love God alone and desire heaven only. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
Great St. John of the Cross, model of patience and generosity, for the glory of God and for the propagation of the holy reform of Carmel, you endured grievous trials and undertook heavy labors, finding, as did St. Paul, joy in opprobrium. Obtain from our Lord for me the grace of unalterable patience in adversity that I may thereby glorify God, have cleansed my souls of every stain, advance in the practice of solid virtue, and obtain at last the crown promised to those who suffer for the love of God. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
Dear St. John of the Cross, you exercised dominion over the powers of hell, often obliging them to relinquish the souls, as well as the bodies of their victims. Have compassion on me; ask God to preserve me from the temptations and deceits of these wicked spirits, not only throughout my life, but above all at the hour of my death, that persevering to the end in the grace and love of God, I may possess Him with you forever. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
Great St. John of the Cross, favored by our Lord and the glorious Virgin, His mother, in reward for your angelic life and with the precious gift of chastity, you converted many souls held captive by the most shameful passions. Obtain for me some share in so priceless a gift that, pure and chaste in soul and body, I may reach heaven where nothing stained may enter and where choirs of virgins follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
Blessed father St. John of the Cross, in you was joined the most profound humility to the most sublime knowledge of the ways of God. Obtain for me real humility of heart, making me love humiliation and contempt that, despairing worldly vanity, I may learn from you to esteem only God and heavenly things. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
St. John of the Cross, my glorious protector, in your lifetime you were the father of the poor, the consoler of the afflicted and the assured refuge of the suffering; you worked miracles of charity for all, miracles which you repeat even now by means of your holy images and relics. Deign also to be my consoler and my father; comfort me in my sorrows and aid me to see in every cross a pledge of divine mercy that, through the cross, I may gain heaven. Obtain for me, too, the special grace I ask through your intercession during the novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
Prayer:
O my loving father St. John of the Cross, to imitate more perfectly our Lord, you generously renounced every consolation, even the spiritual; prayed to suffer and to be despised for God’s sake; and finally died suffering, happy to be condemned by men. Obtain for me the grace of abandonment to the Will of God that, placing all my joy and my hope in the passion of my Savior, I may at last rest eternally with you in His glory. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys
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Today I had spent much of the day preparing for advent..
As you prepare your Advent and if you have a wreath, please see the blessing Blessing of an Advent Wreath by the USCCB.
Also, you can find a beautiful reflective calendar for each day for the family, filled with reflections and things to remind you, to prepare the way and make room in the inn, for the King is coming soon.
Are you ready? Will you let Him in?
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