Category: Prayers
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This morning, in contemplation of my Carmelite Lectio Divina, the closing prayer is a prayer I must share, which truly reduced me to a pool of joyful tears.
Lord, my Father, I have really seen your star, I have opened my eyes to your presence of love and salvation and I have received the light of life. I have contemplated the night changed into light, pain into joy and solitude into communion; yes, all this happened before you, in your Word. You have led me through the desert; you have led me to your house and opened the door for me to enter. There I saw you, your Son Jesus, Savior of my life; there I prayed and adored, I cried and found your smile, I kept silence and learnt to speak. In your house, merciful Father, I have found life once more!
And now I am going back, I have resumed my journey, but the way is not the one I took before and my life is not what it was before. Your Word has left me with a new heart, capable of opening itself to love, to listen, to welcome and become home to so many brothers and sisters whom you have placed in my way. I was not aware, Lord, but you have made me into a child again, you have given birth to me with Jesus. Thank you,
Father, my Father!
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In the still of the night, our Holy Mother rests after bringing us the gift of our Salvation, our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Joseph, Foster Father of our Lord, protector of the Holy Family, Terror of demons, protect us in this year dedicated to you, as you protected our Holy Mother and our Infant Lord from the evil of this world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
— Amen. -
O Lord, our God, we know it is You who are the Just Judge at the moment of our death and it is You, whom we should fear. You have said that not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s knowing. You, Lord Jesus Christ, know all things, and Your mercy is endless. Have mercy on the souls today, who seek to enter into Your Kingdome. Grant them eternal rest in You. Grant their family’s the comfort of Your peace through Your most Holy Spirit and wipe away the tears we shed for those whom we have lost and You have gained, for the glory of God our Father.
Son of Justice, convert the hearts of those who plan and carryout attacks on Your children, that they may come to acknowledge You are Lord and God of all. For this is justice, that they should not perish, but come to know, love and serve You, most Holy Trinity and proclaim Your mercy forever and to our Father, be the praise, glory and honor. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. -
O most holy virgin, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affections for the passing joys of this earth, I may long for the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforth all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed toward this one most desirable object.
Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate mother of God.
Amen.St. Bonaventure
SEVEN SORROWS
- The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke 2:34, 35)
- The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew 2:13, 14)
- The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. (St. Luke 2: 43-45)
- The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
- The Crucifixion.
- The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
- The burial of Jesus.
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“Lord, you reward your faithful servants with prosperity, but for servants not of your mind, your justice will come and you will deliver your people from oppression and slavery. As the city of Hong Kong is under threats of abusive control, we pray for your mercy. Amongst adversaries and oppression, we believe your Word and Grace shall bring back the confidence and hope of your people.”
Prayer taken from Hong Kong diocese cancels pro-democracy prayer in newspapers
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This will be the first time, since my conversion back home, that I will miss attending the Easter Triduum.
I can pour out my feelings here about missing it, but it wouldn’t change anything. I can only accept what is. What I can do, is REMEMBER all the times I was able to attend, and be grateful to have been there. To remember how our Lord touched my heart and help me come to realize how much my sins hurt Him, but more so, how much He had forgiven me. To remember the first time I had ever attended, and cried for all the times I had missed attending because I had so many other things that were, at the time, better to do. How foolish I was. When it became clear to me, everything had come to these three days, every day became a priority, to be with our Lord.
I remember Lord. I remember it all. I also remember the last Holy Mass I was in attendance. I remember how prolific the grace was, to see for myself, the Last Supper.
This day, as I can not be there, I will pray for all our Lord Priests. I will pray for all our Lords Deacons. I will pray for all our Lords Seminarians. I will pray for vocations to the Priesthood.
Lord, through Your most Holy Spirit, inflame the hearts of your friends with Your Divine Love. Touch their hearts as you have touched mine, that they may come to love you deeply above all else, in all souls and never be afraid to love as You have loved us. Give them Your Divine Courage to carry their crosses with You and to never leave You. Give them Your Divine Mercy, that they may be merciful as You have been merciful with us. I ask this through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to Your most Sacred Heart and may the glory be always our Father in heaven, for all time and all eternity. Amen
Taken from USCCB:
Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.
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To all who are fearing, do not be afraid. It may seem dark, but the Light is always shining bright.
Our Lord is still being worshiped, everywhere. You should STILL pray, and do all you can to be with Him, as He is with you, even if you can not attend Holy Mass due to the corona virus pandemic.
IF you can NOT attend Holy Mass, or Holy Mass has been canceled due to the pandemic – You can do this:
Watch Holy Mass on Catholic TV reverently. Meaning don’t break out the popcorn, but pray along as you would if you were attending Holy Mass in your parish. http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass or EWTN https://www.youtube.com/user/EWTN or another REPUTABLE Catholic outlet. You can use: Salt + Light, Catholic Bishops in the Philippines – Catholic Bishops of England https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/the-bishops/ Check your area Catholic Bishops Page.
Make an act of Spiritual Communion- https://www.ewtn.com/…/devot…/act-of-spiritual-communion-339
You can go to http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030820.cfm For DAILY Mass Readings.
You can ponder the Gospel daily with the Carmelites through Lectio Divina. https://www.ocarm.org/en/lectio
You can follow Bishop Robert Barron’s Stations of the Cross https://stations.wordonfire.org/reflections?fbclid=IwAR3Ld0lLDDhIZHsM3EKyHBpQR2Se8toJVclNrDvf-z5gUkUy7r3PojOzRuM
Or go deeper with Word On Fire https://www.wordonfire.org/
We are called to pray without ceasing. Now is a good time.
Again be not afraid, this to shall pass. When it does, remember what it was like NOT to be able to receive our Lord in the Eucharist, to be separated from Him for a little while and hope that never happens again. Use this time wisely, to grow in faith and trust in our Lord. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. May we all grow fonder of our Lord and fall in love with Him.
Ponder when our Lord was placed in the tomb. The tomb couldn’t hold Him back and neither will this.
Light a candle, pick up your bible, read and remember His Word. Offer it all up to our Lord and unite this suffering with His.
Peace
If you are tempted NOT to receive our Lord, because you can not receive Him on the tongue at this time, remember who it is that seeks to separate you from our Lord, while He is still able to be received. “Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” comes to my heart.
Diocese of Rome cancels all public Masses, announces day of fasting and prayer
UPDATE:
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When I first started to turn back to our Lord, I tossed out many things that reminded me of something bad that I did, and things in general that others had given to me. Why? Because I didn’t want to remember those things or those people. Tossing them out did not stop the memories. What did happen, was when I placed my faith and trust in our Lord, the memories didn’t hurt anymore, because our Lord changed my mind.
He took away my “broken mind”, and taught me how to think correctly, trusting His Mind. Nothing in this world has power unless we allow it to and thus when we do give it power, we take that power away from our Lord and give into sin.
What takes place, when we lose control, without allowing God all control, is devastating to a soul. Peace is gone, terror of everything grabs hold and the souls begin to believe in themselves and not in our Lord. Scrupulosity takes hold. We forget that each soul has “free will” to choose our Lord, and we watch everyone and everything with scrutiny and not Love, knowing that our Lord loved us also, when we were train wrecks.
No matter what takes place, as our Lord has told us, we must remain with hope, faith and LOVE in our Lord, keeping our eyes fixed on what is above, and not on what is below. When we keep our eyes on what is below, we look down on everything. When we keep our eyes fixed on what is above, we realize we are all on a level playing field of sinners in need of our Lords redemption. That takes humility. Pray more, worry less. When we worry, we act on internal illusions that seek to drag us down as misery loves company.
Although our Lord Himself took a whip and knocked over tables, we must always remember, we are not Him. The disciples did not join Him in doing this. The righteousness of our Lord far surpasses ours. I pray for the conversions of the souls who took the statues, and I pray for all who are trying to justify theft in this case. It was a statue. Not an idol. Things (anything) becomes an idol when man makes them idols by “worshiping” them (letting them have any power) and not our Lord. Such in the same way when souls fear them, rather than our Lord. Properly destroying idols also includes destroying the ones in the intellect.
Justifying theft is not good. Fear of anything but our Lord, is misplaced Trust. Repent and believe in the Gospel.
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.Beautiful post by Elijah’s Breeze
“I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him.” – St. Teresa of Avila
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“I repeat, it is necessary that your foundation consist of more than prayer and contemplation. If you do not strive for the virtues and practice them, you will always be dwarfs. And, please God, it will be only a matter of not growing, for you already know that whoever does not increase decreases. I hold that love, where present, cannot possibly be content with remaining always the same.” – St. Teresa of Jesus —Interior Castle VII:4.9
October 15th is the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Avila. Over at Elijah’s Breeze, you will find the Liturgy of the Hours for the day.
From the USCCB: The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer.
Feast of St. Teresa of Avila
Rediscovering Teresa of Avila: A Lay Perspective
Angela Blardony Ureta, A.O.CarmToday, we commemorate the feast day of one of the most remarkable women to have ever walked the earth, a Spanish contemplative nun who lived and died well over four centuries ago but whose words and deeds continue to impact us, especially those who have chosen to heed the silent call of Carmel.
For the Liturgy of the Hours: 15 October: St. Teresa of Jesus
St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us
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A tweet from Pope Francis today, for the Canonization of our new Saints, included the New Orleans Saints logo.
Of course, the New Orleans Saints LOVED this after beating the opposing team.
To which I can’t help but ponder the “Man of God” headband controversy and the children at the local Catholic School, who made “Child of God” headbands in support of our Lord, our faith, along in support of the NFL player.
There are no coincidences, only miracles.
In all of this, I pray and I hope we all learn to place our Lord first, and never stop praying. Our Lord gave us true freedom and we should never be afraid to give Him the glory. Trust in our Lord. Be not afraid to live the faith.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us all.
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Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.A Synod is simply dialogue my friends. It does not mean EVERYTHING will be implemented. When we talk as friends, we discuss everything, no? This is how a relationship is built. That does not mean we do everything. It is how we hear one another and see what our friend needs are. It means, we talk about everything and with the teaching authority, do what we believe. Live the faith and preach the gospel. That is all. It is sad to see so many jumping to conclusions through the illusions of false notions.
Today’s Gospel:
If you are anxious, or fearful, add more “Mary” to your life, meaning, pray more and sit at the feet of our Lord, bringing with you all that frightens you. Empty yourself of all that is not His, and allow Him to fill you with all that is Him. Peace Be not afraid.
Pray without jumping to conclusions and falling for the illusions produced through lack of faith in our Lord. The illusions of “what if” are drawn through placing our faith in ourselves and grow huge in a society that refuses to sit and listen to our Lord, choosing to run around and do things, sharing false notions, rumors, etc, one may think is more important. This causes irrational fear and it takes away from our Lord where our fear should actually be, alone in Him (Fear of the Lord). Make yourself busy in Him.
My prayer today is for all to spend more time sitting at the feet of our Lord, instead of the world, hanging on His every word without fretting, and putting them into action, so to be both Mary and Martha, at His promptings. If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
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October 5, 1979, Chicago’s Grant Park. I was here with (now) St. John Paul II, celebrating Holy Mass. I have spoken about this before in this blog. The other day, it finally dawned on me. The bigger picture. Before arriving for Holy Mass, the I, twelve year old me, was blessed on the side of the road, by a passing Pope John Paul II. I stood in awe that moment.
This day was amazing. Like a lot of things we take for granted, the day came and went, and I continued on my path of self destruction for another 17 or so years. Until the death of my father. At that moment was the realization that I needed to change my life. Although I turned back to our Lord that day, the journey out of that pit I placed myself in was rather deep. We do not realize how far we fall, until we try to get out.
Another 12 years had passed, and that Easter Morning came when our Lord talked to me in my heart asking me “Where are you? What are you doing”, in which I responded by returning back to Holy Mass, Divine Mercy Sunday and never missing Mass again, nor receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving our Lord.
What does any of this mean? To me, it is a completed puzzle and that one piece I had been looking for was placed into the big picture.
You see, October 5th is the Feast day of Saint Faustina Kowalska, “Secretary of Divine Mercy”. No one believed this beautiful Saint, when she, Helena Kowalska, told them she needed to dedicate her life to our Lord, because He had called her.
In 1924, at the age of 19 years, Helena went with her sister Natalia to a dance in a park in Łódź. Faustina said that, while at the dance, she had a vision of a suffering Jesus. She then went to the Cathedral. From there, she said Jesus instructed her to depart for Warsaw immediately and to join a convent.
No one wanted her, even being told, “we do not accept maids here”. The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, took her in. St. Faustina knew nothing about them, but knew our Lord opened the door and needed her there. On 30 April (Keep that date in mind) 1926, at the age of 20 years, she received her habit and took the religious name of Sister Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament.
On (the anniversary of taking the habit) Sunday, 30 April 2000, the now St. John Paul II, canonized this wonderful Saint, and proclaimed that the Second Sunday of Easter would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
4. It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called “Divine Mercy Sunday”. In the various readings, the liturgy seems to indicate the path of mercy which, while re-establishing the relationship of each person with God, also creates new relations of fraternal solidarity among human beings. Christ has taught us that “man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but is also called “to practise mercy’ towards others: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’ (Mt 5: 7)” (Dives in misericordia, n. 14). He also showed us the many paths of mercy, which not only forgives sins but reaches out to all human needs. Jesus bent over every kind of human poverty, material and spiritual.
His message of mercy continues to reach us through his hands held out to suffering man. This is how Sr Faustina saw him and proclaimed him to people on all the continents when, hidden in her convent at £agiewniki in Kraków, she made her life a hymn to mercy: Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo.
We never can see what our Lord is doing to us, we only know its something good. Even through the extremely dark times, His mercy endues forever. The key is trusting His Divine Mercy. Not allowing our own ideas to quash His. Forty years ago, I was blessed by this Saint. Sometimes it takes us a very long time to realize the GOOD is all of what our Lord is trying to do for us because we ourselves, stand in the way.
Forty years I endured that generation.
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.”On this coming Feast of St. Faustina, I ask her to intercede for us all today, along with St. John Paul II, to bring us closer to our Lords Sacred Heart, through His Divine Mercy. May He replace our hearts of stone, with His Heart of Flesh and may be be open to receive Him, without hindrance, without saying no, without fear and may we be filled with Holy Desire, to do His will.
Lord, come quickly. Save souls.
I love these two wonderful Saints of our Lord. I am grateful for them.
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Please join us in prayer for the Feast of the Little Flower
October 1
SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS
Virgin and Doctor of the ChurchFeast
Thérèse Martin was born at Alencon in 1873. At the age of fifteen she entered the Carmel at Lisieux. She practiced heroic humility, evangelical simplicity and trust in God, and taught the novices these virtues by word and example. She offered her life for the salvation of souls and the growth of the Church. She died September 30, 1897.
Invitatory
Ant. The Lord reveals himself to little ones; come, let us worship him.
Invitatory psalm, as in the Ordinary.
Office of Readings
Hymn
Let all who lovingly avow
Those gifts the Christ Child came to share
Acclaim Thérèse’s virtues now
And praise her name in song and prayer.Her patroness and mother chose
The lofty peaks of Carmel’s height
And there Thérèse in fervor goes
To follow Christ, her one delight.Inspired by Jesus to…
View original post 5,170 more words
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St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. .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.Amen
Pray. Hope. Repent
The Return of Michaelmas: Why We Need St. Michael the Archangel
Consecration to St. Michael:
Saint Michael the Archangel, invincible Prince of the Angelic hosts and glorious protector of the universal Church, I greet thee and praise thee for that splendor with which God has adorned thee so richly. I thank God for the great graces He hast bestowed upon thee, especially to remain faithful when Satan and his followers rebelled, and to battle victoriously for the honor of God and the Divinity of the Son of Man.Saint Michael, I consecrate to thee __________________. I choose thee as our patron and protector and entrust the salvation of my soul to thy care. Be the guardian of my obligation as a child of God and of the Catholic Church as again I renounce Satan, his works and pomps.
Assist me by thy powerful intercession in the fulfillment of these sacred promises, so that imitating thy courage and loyalty to God, and trusting in thy kind help and protection, I may be victorious over the enemies of my soul and be united with God in Heaven forever. Amen. -
Flos Carmeli Prayer
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a Pure Virgin,
assist me in this necessity.
O Star of the sea, help and protect me!
Show me that Thou art my Mother.O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee!Mother and Beauty of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation!
Amen.Blessed feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel to all
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As one soul who excommunicated herself, unknowingly, and did come to the realization of how horrific my own sins were through our Lords grace, that had placed me outside, I pray for the conversion of all Catholics, who blatantly disregard the teachings of our Lord, to follow their own designs.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to Your most Sacred Heart, I ask you please, my Lord and my God, send your Spirit to bring souls to the realization of their own sinfulness, for their salvation, and for the salvation of those who follow them, that they may be open to true repentance and turn back to You completely, You most Merciful and Just Lord of all, that they may give all the praise, glory and honor to Our Father in Heaven, where he lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all time and all eternity.
— Amen.Bishop Daly Bars ALL Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians From Receiving Communion
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For those who do not know her perfect beauty… Pray
Found in Racccolta, 1950
Reparation for insults to the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, look down in mercy from Heaven, where thou art enthroned as Queen, upon me, a miserable sinner, thine unworthy servant. Although I know full well my own unworthiness, yet in order to atone for the offenses that are done to thee by impious and blasphemous tongues, from the depths of my heart I praise and extol thee as the purest, the fairest, the holiest creature of all God’s handiwork. I bless thy Holy name, I praise thine exalted privilege of being truly Mother of God, ever Virgin, conceived without stain of sin, Co-Redemptrix of the human race. I bless the Eternal Father who chose thee in an especial way for His daughter; I bless the Word Incarnate who took upon Himself our nature in thy bosom and so made thee His Mother; I bless the Holy Spirit who took thee as His bride. All honor, praise and thanksgiving to the ever-blessed Trinity who predestined thee and loved thee so exceedingly from all eternity as to exalt thee above all creatures to the most sublime heights. O Virgin, holy and merciful, obtain for all who offend thee the grace of repentance, and graciously accept this poor act of homage from me thy servant, obtaining likewise for me from thy Divine Son the pardon and remission of all my sins. Amen.
Reparation for blasphemy against the Blessed Virgin Mary
Most glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, turn thine eyes in pity upon us, miserable sinners; we are sore afflicted by the many evils that surround us in this life, but especially do we feel our hearts break within us upon hearing the dreadful insults and blasphemies uttered against thee, O Virgin Immaculate. O how these impious sayings offend the infinite Majesty of God and of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ! How they provoke His indignation and give us cause to fear the terrible effects of His vengeance! …We desire, O most Holy Mother, to love thee and to honor thee with all our hearts, since this is the Will of God. And just because we love thee, we will do all that is in our power to make thee honored and loved by all men. In the meantime do thou, our merciful Mother, the supreme comforter of the afflicted, accept this our act of reparation which we offer thee for ourselves and for all our families, as well as for all who impiously blaspheme thee, not knowing what they say. Do thou obtain for them from Almighty God the grace of conversion, and thus render more manifest and more glorious thy kindness, thy power and thy great mercy. May they join with us in proclaiming thee Blessed among women, the Immaculate Virgin and most compassionate Mother of God. (Racccolta, 1950)
- Hail Mary three times.
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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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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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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) -
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.
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This Novena begins today, December 5th
Beginning Prayer to be said each day:
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.
First Day: Unwavering Faith
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.
Second Day: Spirit of Penitence
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.
Third Day: Holy Enlightenment
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.
Fourth Day: Holy Patience
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.
Fifth Day: Protection from Temptation
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.
Sixth Day: Purity of Soul and Body
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.
Seventh Day: Humility
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.
Eighth Day: Comfort in Affliction
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.
Ninth Day: Holy Abandonment
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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Day of wrath! O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophets’ warning,
Heaven and earth in ashes burning!Oh what fear man’s bosom rendeth,
when from heaven the Judge descendeth,
on whose sentence all dependeth.Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth;
through earth’s sepulchers it ringeth;
all before the throne it bringeth.Death is struck, and nature quaking,
all creation is awaking,
to its Judge an answer making.Lo! the book, exactly worded,
wherein all hath been recorded:
thence shall judgment be awarded.When the Judge his seat attaineth,
and each hidden deed arraigneth,
nothing unavenged remaineth.What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
when the just are mercy needing?King of Majesty tremendous,
who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!Think, good Jesus, my salvation
cost thy wondrous Incarnation;
leave me not to reprobation!Faint and weary, thou hast sought me,
on the cross of suffering bought me.
shall such grace be vainly brought me?Righteous Judge! for sin’s pollution
grant thy gift of absolution,
ere the day of retribution.Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
all my shame with anguish owning;
spare, O God, thy suppliant groaning!Thou the sinful woman savedst;
thou the dying thief forgavest;
and to me a hope vouchsafest.Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
rescue me from fires undying!With thy favored sheep O place me;
nor among the goats abase me;
but to thy right hand upraise me.While the wicked are confounded,
doomed to flames of woe unbounded
call me with thy saints surrounded.Low I kneel, with heart submission,
see, like ashes, my contrition;
help me in my last condition.Ah! that day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning
man for judgment must prepare him;
Spare, O God, in mercy spare him!Lord, all pitying, Jesus blest,
grant them thine eternal rest. Amen.
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Please, just stop and pray.
Via St. Mary of the Lake – Please click HERE to join!
Mundelein Seminary at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake is launching a nine-day Novena for the Healing of Our Church from Friday, Sept. 7 through Saturday, Sept. 15 to unite Catholics in prayer for healing, justice and hope in light of the ongoing crisis within the Catholic Church.
The public is invited to attend nine special Masses to be held at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. You can also participate digitally by filling out the form below to receive the novena prayers via email.
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The 21’st of September, 1996, was the day I realized I was about to lose my dad to lung cancer, and he entered eternal life on the feast of St. Padre Pio, two days later.
It was the day I would come to realized, I was adopted by our Lord. Suffering brings JOY.At his side, on his bed, I said out loud, I need to change my life. The life I was living, to quote our Holy Father, was “kaka”.
Anyway, someone had posted this tweet and it stirred in me. I remember. I remember it well. From death, to new life. Today, I sing.
Notice the picture in this post: A Leopard In The Well and reflect on what our LORD has done.
Repent and believe
Ephesians 2
St. Padre Pio, pray for us.
The song? The song? “September” is a song by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire. It was recorded during the sessions for their album I Am
“Do you remember
The 21st night of September?
Love was changin’ the minds of pretenders
While chasin’ the clouds away
Our hearts were ringin’
In the key that our souls were singin’
As we danced in the night, remember
How the stars stole the night away, oh, yeah yeah yeah”St. Matthew Prayer
O Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel you portray Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant.
Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in his Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with him in heaven.Edit to add:
As I was heading to bed just now, I heard music coming from outside… Someone finally gets it… The echo of September, somehow, somewhere. Thank you Lord.
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“But this kind [of demon] does not come out except by prayer and fasting” (Mt 17:21).
Today –
LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it” (1 Cor 12:26). These words of Saint Paul forcefully echo in my heart as I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by many minors due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by a significant number of clerics and consecrated persons. Crimes that inflict deep wounds of pain and powerlessness, primarily among the victims, but also in their family members and in the larger community of believers and nonbelievers alike. Looking back to the past, no effort to beg pardon and to seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking ahead to the future, no effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated. The pain of the victims and their families is also our pain, and so it is urgent that we once more reaffirm our commitment to ensure the protection of minors and of vulnerable adults.
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Acquired Via
Originally from Fr. Paul Pecchie
Novena to St Peter
St Peter, now that we are aware of the pressures the priests and bishops, cardinals and The Holy Father of Mother Church are under, I ask that you hear my prayer for you to send protection, guidance, support and encouragement to them, not forgetting the seminaries and the Brides Of Christ. The devil has been strong in recent times, not least in the last century and the beginning of this one. I ask that you intercede and ask St Michael and the archangels to fight the battle which needs to be fought for them. The Devil hides within holes throughout the centuries and I ask that you help the angels to find the places no matter how well hidden where he lurks and meddles from.
I know you shall not fail for my having asked you and I know that my prayers will be answered. The devil so often commands the moment. We are blessed to know that the eternal is the essential and we place our faith and knowledge in The Truth that our faith blesses us to know.
For the love of Jesus and the loving balme of the Holy Mother, help Mother Church to save Human Dignity. AmenI pledge to pray this every day for nine days – (or 54 days) and network this so that all Catholics are made aware of its existence.
Peg Pondering Again 