For the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen

 Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, most widely known for his television program Life is Worth Living,  was born in Illinois in 1895.  Originally  named Peter John, he was nicknamed Fulton, his mother's maiden name.  After his baptism, his mother consecrated him to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and on the day of his First Holy Communion, Blessed Fulton Sheen, renewed this consecration. He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1919 and consecrated a bishop in 1951.  On October 2, 1979 Pope John Paul II embraced Archbishop Sheen, saying to him, "You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church!"  Blessed Fulton Sheen died on October 9, 1979. In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI declared Fulton Sheen venerable.

Blessed Fulton Sheen had a great love for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and beginning with a resolve on the day of his priestly ordination in 1919 until his death in 1979, Fulton Sheen kept his resolve to make a daily holy hour. He encouraged every person, no matter their state in life to follow this practice as well.  In many of his talks and writings, he spoke of the importance of a daily holy hour. 

Archbishop Sheen said, 

“I do not know how I could live without my daily holy hour. It is the hour that makes my day."

“Because we live in a demonic age, the time has come to take seriously this Holy Hour. It is the only thing our Blessed Lord ever asked us to do, ever asked directly of His disciples: ‘Can you not stay awake one hour with me?’”

“I am asking you, every single day of your life without any exception, to make a continuous hour of adoration in the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament…”

“Who should make it [a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration]? Bishops, for an apathetic world, so that during that Holy Hour the Blessed Lord will speak to them, as He spoke to Paul at Corinth. ‘Be courageous, be not silent, speak out, I am with you...  

Priests. Make the Holy Hour. It may be a sacramental sign of our victimhood. Would you have power in the pulpit? Would you be able to console the sick? Would you be able to make converts? Then spend the Hour with our Lord. When you mount the pulpit you will shoot forth sparks, and the people will love you...

Sisters, you wonderful women, who bear a visible sign of your union with Christ, make the Holy Hour—and understand how much the children in schools are yearning for you to come back. Married couples, make the Holy Hour, to make up for an abortion every thirty seconds. Prove that the Lord is the Lord of life and not of death.. 

All you who are engaged in social work, treating humanity in any form, make the Holy Hour. Believe me, when you begin to see the invisible Christ behind that visible sign of Bread, you will soon begin to see in the poor and the naked the invisible Christ whom they represent. That is the vision that makes Mother Teresa one of the leaders of the world in the love of the poor... 

And you young people, young men and young women, do not believe that the joy of life consists in a titillation of the flesh, but see that love is sacrificial; and when you make a Holy Hour, then you will begin to understand that the real rock is Peter, and the gates of hell shall not prevail... Everyone, make the Holy Hour, and you will discover as you leave the divine Presence that if you move among people in the world, they will say of you as the maid said of Peter, ‘You have been with Christ.’ And then at the end of a lifetime spent in adoration of the Lord, and in love of the Blessed Mother, of the Blessed Sacrament, when you come before the Lord do you know what He will say to you? He will say, ‘I heard my Mother speak of you.'"

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On this day of the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, may we remember to thank God for the example of this great priest and bishop.  Let us remember to ask Blessed Fulton Sheen to intercede with God for us that we might imitate his example in living for God.

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Prayer for a Favor

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 here) I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 

Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Bishop of Peoria

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In 1973 after the Supreme Court of the United States legalized abortion, Archbishop Sheen composed the following prayer.  It is a most fitting prayer to continue praying in the modern age as well. 

Prayer to Spiritually Adopt an Unborn Child 

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love you very much. I beg of you to spare the life of the unborn child I have spiritually adopted, who is in danger of abortion. Say this prayer every day for nine months to save a baby’s life!

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Feast of our Lady of Ransom

Holy Mother Church honors Mary under the title of Our Lady of Ransom with a feast day on September 24.  As mentioned in a previous post, during the 13th century many Spanish Catholics were enslaved by the Saracens, often tortured as a way to get them to renounce their Faith. St. Peter Nolasco worked for 15 years to ransom these captives, all the while imploring heaven's help for this task. 

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From the Office of the Feast of our Lady of Ransom:

"At the time when the Saracen yoke oppressed the larger and more fertile part of Spain, and great numbers of the faithful were detained in cruel servitude, at the great risk of denying the Christian faith and losing their eternal salvation, the most blessed Queen of heaven graciously came to remedy all these great evils, and showed her exceeding charity in redeeming her children. She appeared with beaming countenance to [St.] Peter Nolasco, a man conspicuous for wealth and piety, who in his holy meditations was ever striving to devise some means of helping the innumerable Christians living in misery as captives of the Moors. She told him it would be very pleasing to her and her only-begotten Son, if a religious Order were instituted in her honour, whose members should devote themselves to delivering captives from Turkish tyranny. Animated by this heavenly vision, the man of God was inflamed with burning love, having but one desire at heart, viz: that both he and the Order he was to found, might be devoted to the exercise of that highest charity, the laying down of life for one's friends and neighbours." "The same night, the most holy Virgin appeared also to blessed Raymond of Pegnafort, and to James king of Aragon, telling them of her wish to have the Order instituted, and exhorting them to lend their aid to so great an undertaking. Meanwhile Peter hastened to relate the whole matter to Raymund, who was his confessor; and finding it had been already revealed to him from heaven, submitted humbly to his direction. King James next arrived, fully resolved to carry out the instructions he also had received from the blessed Virgin. Having therefore taken counsel together and being all of one mind, they set about instituting an Order in honour of the Virgin Mother, under the invocation of [O]ur Lady of Mercy for the ransom of captives." "On the tenth of August, in the year of [O]ur Lord one thousand two hundred and eighteen, king James out into execution what the two holy men had planned. The members of the Order bound themselves by a fourth vow to remain, when necessary, as securities in the power of the pagans, in order to deliver Christians. The king granted them license to bear his royal arms upon their breast, and obtained from [Pope] Gregory IX the confirmation of this religious institute distinguished by such eminent brotherly charity. God [H]imself gave increase to the work, through [H]is Virgin Mother; so that the Order spread rapidly and prosperously over the whole world. It soon reckoned many holy men remarkable for their charity and piety who collected alms from Christ's faithful, to be spent in redeeming their brethren; and sometimes gave themselves up as ransom for many others. In order that due thanks might be rendered to God and [H]is Virgin Mother for the benefit of such an institution, the apostolic See allowed this special feast and Office to be celebrated, and also granted innumerable other privileges to the Order."

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In later years Pope Leo XIII encouraged the devotion of this feast as well, especially as a way to help the faithful to remember how our Lady ransoms us from the slavery of our sins.  As this feast draws near, may we look to our Lady of Ransom and beg her help.  May our Lady's intercession help free us from sin and guide us to a greater love for her Son.  May we also ask her help for the whole world, which is so entrenched in confusion and sin.  May the world learn to look to the Heavenly Mother as a beacon of peace and love and imitate her love for and service of God.

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 Supplication to our Lady of Ransom

Sweet Mother! turn those gentle eyes 

Of pity down upon me; 

Oh! hear thy suppliant’s tearful cries, 

My humble prayer, do not despise, 

Star of the pathless sea! 

In dark temptation’s dreary hour, 

To thee, bright Queen, we flee;

Oh! then exert a mother’s power, 

When storms are rough and tempests lower; 

Star of the raging sea! 

Through all my joys and cares, sweet Maid, 

May I still look on thee, 

Who bore the Price our ransom paid, 

And ne’er the suppliant’s cry hath stayed; 

Star of the azure sea! 

And when my last expiring sigh, 

My soul from earth shall free, 

Do thou, bright Queen of Saints, stand by 

And bear it up to God on high, 

Star of the boundless sea! 

***Say the Hail Mary three times followed by the Hail Holy Queen

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Feast of St. Philomena

Holy Mother Church honors St. Philomena with a feast day on August 11. St. Philomena was the thirteen year old daughter of the king and queen of a small Grecian state.  At baptism she was given the name Philomena, which means "Friend of the Light."  During a trip with her parents to Rome to discuss peace with the emperor, she was asked by the pagan emperor to marry him in exchange for peace.  However, St. Philomena refused him, having made a vow of chastity at age 11, despite her parents and the emperor trying to persuade her.  Furious Emperor Diocletian threw Philomena into prison. For 37 days he tried to get her to agree to marriage, but when she held vast to her vow, the emperor furiously increased her torments.  

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At the end of the 37 days, the Blessed Mother and the Divine Child appeared to the young girl.  Our Lady told her that she would remain three more days in the dungeon, and on the fortieth day she would undergo cruel torture.  Mary comforted Philomena and the apparition ended.  On the fortieth day Emperor Diocletian ordered Philomena to be tied to a pillar and scourged without mercy, accompanied by horrible blasphemies.  When she returned to the prison, two angels appeared to her and healed her wounds with heavenly balm.  The next morning the emperor found her stronger and more beautiful than ever.  The order was then given to tie an iron anchor to her neck and throw her into the Tiber River.  However, two angels rescued her, bringing her to the bank completely dry. The emperor ordered her to be pierced with arrows and returned to the prison.  

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Yet the next day he found her unscathed and more beautiful.  Emperor Diocletian, enraged, ordered her to be shot with arrows again, but the arrows would not leave the bows.  He next ordered the arrows to be heated red hot, but again God protected the little saint.  The arrows turned back on the archers, six of whom were killed.  People began to convert at the miracles before them.  At last the tyrant pagan emperor ordered Philomena to be beheaded.  This act ended her life on earth and sent her soul victoriously into heaven.

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St. Philomena has been named St. Philomena, the Wonder Worker due to the great number of miracles that occurred through her intercession.  St. John Vianney held a great devotion to St. Philomena, even writing a litany in her honor.  We would do well to imitate St. John Vianney, adding devotion to this powerful young Saint to our lives.  May we strive to imitate her in her faithfulness to God, her purity, her fortitude, and her love for our Lord.  

The Novena to St. Philomena should be said from August 2-August 10, to end of the vigil of her feast day.  St. Philomena, pray for us!

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Novena to St. Philomena 

 O great St. Philomena, glorious Virgin and Martyr, wonder-worker of our age, I return most fervent thanks to God for the miraculous gifts bestowed on thee, and beseech thee to impart to me a share in the graces and blessings of which thou hast been the channel to so many souls. 

Through the heroic fortitude with which thou didst confront the fury of tyrants and brave the frowns of the mighty rather than swerve from thy allegiance to the King of Heaven, obtain for me purity of body and soul, purity of heart and desire, purity of thought and affection. Through thy patience under multiplied sufferings, obtain for me a submissive acceptance of all the afflictions it may please God to send me and as thou didst miraculously escape unhurt from the waters of the Tiber, into which thou wert cast by order of thy persecutor, so may I pass through the waters of tribulation without detriment to my soul. 

In addition to these favours, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment. O pure Virgin and holy Martyr, deign to cast a look of pity from Heaven on thy devoted servant, comfort me in affliction, assist me in danger, above all come to my aid in the hour of death. Watch over the interests of the Church of God, pray for its exaltation and prosperity, the extension of the faith, for the Sovereign Pontiff, for the clergy, for the perseverance of the just, the conversion of sinners, and the relief of the Souls in Purgatory, especially those dear to me., and those most forgotten. O great Saint, whose triumph we celebrate on earth, intercede for me, that I may one day behold the crown of glory bestowed on thee in Heaven, and eternally bless Him who so liberally rewards for all eternity the sufferings endured for His love during this short life. Amen.

Hymn to St. Philomena

We praise thee Philomena 

Blest martyr and blest maid! 

Since Christ through thee works wonders 

We come to thee for aid. 

Red Rose of sweetest fragrance 

Glowing with charity. 

Yet white with lily whiteness 

Of angels’ purity. 

All Hail Saint Philomena 

Thou virgin of the Lord 

Help us to love and praise Him 

And make His Name adored. 

Be thou the guide of pilgrims 

Restore the steps that stray. 

Bring health to those who suffer 

Be thou their gladsome ray. 

Cheer those whose hope is waning 

And warm the hearts grown cold. 

Console the sad and lonely, 

Strengthen the weak and old. 

Thou well-beloved maiden, 

All girt with Heaven’s might. 

Help those who sit in darkness, 

Thou daughter of the Light. 

Make us who now implore Thee 

Loving and brave and wise. 

May we one day behold thee, 

Princess of Paradise.

God bless!

+JMJ+

The Grotto

 Blessed Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

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I wanted to introduce everyone to my newest page at the top of my blog, entitled Grotto.  I am very excited about this addition to my blog.  Once on the page, if you simply click on a candle, you can add your prayers intentions.  The candle will burn for 24 hours; you can watch it slowly burn down.  While your candle is lit, be assured that your intentions will be added to our family rosary each day.  Please add your intentions any time.  When you add your intentions, please pray for the other intentions on my Grotto page as well.  May our Lady watch over you and your needs.

I hope you enjoy this new addition and find it useful.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

***Please take note of the new tab at the top of my blog labeled Grotto.  I will write a brief post about it soon, but feel free to use it.  God bless!

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The entire month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  However, Holy Mother Church especially honors our Lord under the title of the Sacred Heart with a feast day on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi, which is on June 12 this year. 

Jesus spoke to St. Margaret Mary, saying, "Behold this Heart, which has so loved men, as that it has spared nothing, even to the exhausting and wearing itself out, in order to show them its love; and instead of acknowledgment I receive, from the greater number, nothing but ingratitude, by their irreverences and sacrileges, and by the coldness and contempt wherewith they treat Me, in this Sacrament of love." 

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 With the words of our Lord to St. Margaret before us, may we strive throughout this month and always to love our Lord with our whole being, offering Him adoration and thanksgiving for His love and sacrifice for us. Our Lord yearns to give us His Heart, waiting in silence for us to give ours to Him in return.  We can honor our Lord through prayers, the enthronement of His Image in our homes, and by  fulfilling the First Friday devotion, which Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. 

During the 17th century our Lord revealed to her that it was His desire that the first Friday of each month be consecrated to the devotion and adoration of His most Sacred Heart. He made twelve promises for those who sincerely practiced this devotion. 

From the writings of St. Margaret Mary, we learn of a few of them.  She wrote, 

"On Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave, if I mistake not: I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment." 

In order to make this devotion of the nine first Fridays, we must receive Holy Communion, with the intention of offering reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Throughout this month of June and each time we venerate His Sacred Heart, we should remember Jesus' great love for us, flowing forth from His Heart.  In return we should strive to express our love and devotion to Him through acts of adoration and repentance. 

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

Hail! O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and quickening source of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, and burning furnace of divine love. Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary, O my amiable Savior. Consume my heart with that burning fire with which Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things, conformed to Thine. May Thy divine will be equally the standard and rule of all my desires and of all my actions. Amen.

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The 12 Promises of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Regarding Those Who Receive Communion on Nine First Fridays 

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. 

2. I will establish peace in their houses. 

3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions. 

4. I will be their strength during life and above all during 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 penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Feast of St. Joan of Arc

 Blessed Feast of St. Joan of Arc!!!!

Below is a prayer for recitation on her feast day, May 30.  It seems most fitting to honor this great Saint since she is the patroness of my blog.

As we recite the Litany of St. Joan of Arc, may we pray that we will grow in the virtues of Faith, love of God, fortitude, and perseverance--virtues St. Joan clearly possessed during her life.  May we use these virtues to help transform this world to become a mirror of the love and goodness of God.  St. Joan, pray for us!

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Litany of St. Joan of Arc 

Lord, have mercy on us!

Jesus Christ, have mercy on us! 

Lord, have mercy on us! 

Jesus Christ, hear us! 

Jesus Christ, graciously hear us! 

Our Heavenly Father, Who art God, have mercy on us! 

Son, Savior of the world, Who art God, have mercy on us! 

Holy Spirit, Who art God, have mercy on us! 

Holy Trinity, Who art God, have mercy on us! 

Holy Mary, virgin Mother of God, pray for us. 

Our Lady of the Assumption, principal patron of France, pray for us. 

Saint Michael the Archangel, patron and special protector of France, pray for us. 

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and Martyr, pray for us. 

Saint Margaret of Antioch, virgin and Martyr, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, chosen by God at Domremy, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, informed by Saint Michael, the Archangel and his Angels, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, compliant to the call of God, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, confidant in and submissive to her voices, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, model of family life and labor, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, faithfully devoted to Our Lady, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, who delighted in the Holy Eucharist, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, model of generosity in the service to God, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, example of faithfulness to the Divine vocation, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, model of union with God in action, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, virgin and soldier, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, model of courage and purity in the field of battle, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, compassionate towards all who suffer, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, the pride of Orleans, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, glory of Reims, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, liberator of the Country, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, abandoned and imprisoned at Compiegne, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, pure and patient in thy prison, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, heroic and valiant before thy judges, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, alone with God at the hour of torment, pray for us. 

Saint Joan of Arc, Martyr of Rouen, pray for us. 

Saint Joan or Arc and Saint Therese of Lisieux patronesses of France, pray for us. 

All the Saints of France, intercede for us. 

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, 

Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, 

Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, Lord. 

Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us, that we may become worthy of the promises of Our Savior Jesus Christ. 

 Let us pray. Oh God, Who hast raised up in an admirable manner, the virgin of Domremy, Saint Joan of Arc, for the defense of the faith and country, by her intercession, we ask Thee that the Church triumph against the assaults of her enemies and rejoice in lasting peace; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

"Hold the Cross high so I may see it through the flames." --St. Joan of Arc

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians

Our Lady's help has been invoked since Apostolic times, and during the Middle Ages the title for Mary, Help of Christians was widely used. People implored Mary's help while honoring her with the recitation of the Holy Rosary. In the 1800s the feast day for Our Lady Help of Christians was established within the Church and placed on May 24. 

In modern times we would do well to remember these Catholic traditions and implement them in our own lives. In the midst of such a troubled world, may we implore Our Lady Help of Christians, asking for her aid to bring Christ to all people and peace throughout the world. Meanwhile may we once again, like Catholics of old, hold tight to our rosaries, honoring Our Lady with this great devotion. The following prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians is a beautiful prayer to recite, asking our Lady to help each of us, the Church, and the whole world. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

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Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians 

Most holy and immaculate Virgin Mary, our tender Mother and mighty Help of Christians, we dedicate ourselves wholly to thy dear love and holy service. We dedicate to thee our minds and all our thoughts, our hearts and all our affections, our bodies and all our senses and all our strength; we promise to be ever willing to labor for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. Meanwhile, do thou, O incomparable Virgin, who hast ever been the helper of the Christian people, continue to show thyself to be so in these our days. Bring low the enemies of our holy religion and frustrate their wicked designs. Enlighten and strengthen our Bishops and our priests; keep them always in close union and obedience to the Pope, their infallible Teacher; preserve thoughtless youth from sin and irreligion; increase holy vocations and multiply the number of the sacred ministers, that by means of them the kingdom of Jesus Christ may be preserved amongst us and be extended even to the uttermost parts of the earth. 

We pray thee, moreover, dear Mother, to keep thine eyes of mercy ever turned upon young men and maidens, who are exposed to so many dangers, as well as upon poor sinners and those who are dying; be thou, O Mary, to them all a source of sweet hope, thou who art the Mother of mercy and the Gate of heaven. 

But also for ourselves do we pour forth our supplications, O mighty Mother of God. Teach us to show forth in our lives thy virtues, especially angelic purity, deep humility and burning love; so by our demeanor, our words and our example may we, according as it is given to us, be living images of thy blessed Son Jesus in the midst of the world, and make thee known and loved, in the sure hope that thus we may succeed in bringing many souls to salvation. Grant unto us, O Mary, thou Help of Christians, to be gathered under thy maternal protection. May the thought of the love thou bearest toward thy devoted clients be unto us so great a source of strength as to make us victors over the enemies of our salvation, both in life and in death, that so we may come to stand about thee in the beauty of paradise. Amen 

---from the Raccolta

God bless!

+JMJ+

Daily Prayer for the Church and Government

 "It is a characteristic of any decaying civilization that the great masses of the people are unaware of the tragedy. Humanity in a crisis is generally insensitive to the gravity of the times in which it lives. Men do not want to believe their own times are wicked, partly because they have no standard outside of themselves by which to measure their times. If there is no fixed concept of justice, how shall men know it is violated? Only those who live by faith really know what is happening in the world; the great masses without faith are unconscious of the destructive processes going on, because they have lost the vision of the heights from which they have fallen." 

 --Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us! 

Prayer for the Church and the Civil Authorities 

 Archbishop John Carroll, A.D. 1800 

We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God, who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name. We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life our chief bishop, Francis, the Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His Church; our own Bishop, (or Archbishop,) N., (if he is not consecrated, our Bishop-elect); all other Bishops, Prelates, and Pastors of the Church ; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation. 

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgments decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people, over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. 

Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our role and government; so, that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty. 

We pray for his Excellency the Governor of this State, for the members of the Assembly, for all Judges, Magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability. We recommend likewise to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow-citizens, throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance of most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal. 

Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace: the souls of our parents, relations, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation; and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship, and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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“A nation always gets the kind of politicians it deserves. If a time ever comes when the religious Jews, Protestants and Catholics ever have to suffer under a totalitarian state, which would deny to them the right to worship God according to the light of their conscience, it will be because for years they thought it made no difference what kind of people represented them in Congress, and because they abandoned the spiritual in the realm of the temporal.”

--Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen 

God bless! 

+JMJ+

Devotional to Our Lady of Sorrows

With Lent beginning this next week, I wanted to repost the free devotional I created to Our Lady of Sorrows for your use throughout this penitential season.

I hope this simple devotional helps you truly honor and love our Lady of Sorrows this year during your Lenten journey or whenever you choose to pray it. It is a useful devotional for adults, children, or families. This devotional is free for your use. I simply ask if you post about or share this devotional or one of my other ideas, that you please be kind enough to link back to my original post. My ideas are not to be used for profit, and are to be used for personal use by individuals, families, and teachers.

Image of the Front Cover

I do have it available for download at the following link: Seven Sorrows of Mary. If you have difficulty with the link or prefer to receive it by email, please leave me a message with your email address, and I can send you the document for free. I will NOT post your email online. If you would rather receive a printed copy in the mail, I would have to charge a small fee for printing cost (ink and paper) and postage. If you prefer that method, please message me again with your email, and I will email you back to set it up. I am looking for other reliable methods for downloads, but I have not decided on one yet. If you have any reliable suggestions, please let me know.

Praying you have a blessed Lent!

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer after Holy Communion by St. Bonaventure

 Holy Mother Church honors St. Bonaventure with a feast day on July 14. Born in Italy in 1221, as a young child Bonaventure was saved from death through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, to whom Bonaventure’s mother had prayed, vowing to give her son to the Saint’s Order if he was healed. Later Bonaventure did join the order of his intercessor, the Order of Friars Minor. In his studies St. Bonaventure quickly portrayed qualities of great intelligence, wisdom, and virtue. What St. Thomas Aquinas was for the Dominican Order, so, too, St. Bonaventure was for the Franciscan Order.

St. Bonaventure not only inspired through preaching; his written works were great sources of knowledge as well. Included in his writings were works about the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, and love of God. St. Bonaventure desired always to love God through each action and thought he had and to inflame the hearts of others with that same intense love of God he possessed. Later named the Seraphic Doctor, St. Bonaventure died at age 53 and was canonized by Pope Sixtus IV. The following prayer written by the Saint illustrates this love of God that St. Bonaventure strove to live each moment. 

 Prayer after Holy Communion

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste. 

May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayers in Honor of the Holy Face of our Lord

The practice of honoring our Lord's Holy Face is not new.  During Jesus' life on earth, this devotion was seen through St. Joseph, the Blessed Mother, the Magi, and the Apostles.  We also recognize this devotion in St. Veronica's veil.  However, it was not until much later that a formal devotion began.  

In the 19th century Jesus expressed His wishes to Sister Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite Nun in Tours, France, that a devotion to His Holy Face be established. Our Lord wanted this devotion in reparation for blasphemies against Him and His Holy Name, as well as for the profanation of Sunday. In August of 1843, Jesus dictated to her the well-known Golden Arrow Prayer, saying that those who would recite this prayer would pierce Him delightfully, and they also would heal those other wounds inflicted on Him by the malice of sinners. After receiving this prayer, Sister Mary of St. Peter was given a vision in which she saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by this "Golden Arrow" as torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners. 

In 1885 Pope Leo XIII granted Ecclesiastical approval of the Devotion to the Holy Face and established an Archconfraternity for its honor.  It was of this Archconfraternity that St. Therese of Lisieux's entire family became members.  As a nun, St. Therese speaks of the image of the Holy Face, saying, “How well Our Lord did lower His eyes when He gave us His portrait! Since the eyes are the mirror of the soul, if we had seen His soul, we would have died from joy. Oh how much good that Holy Face has done in my life!”

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Years later during Lent of 1936, Jesus appeared to Blessed Maria Pierina De Micheli, a religious sister with the order of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception, and told her, "I wish that My Face, which reflects the intimate sorrow of My soul, and the suffering and love of My Heart, be better honoured. He who contemplates Me consoles Me." On the Tuesday following Passion Sunday, Jesus returned to her and said: "Each time My Face is contemplated I will pour My love into hearts, and through My Holy Face the salvation of many souls will be obtained."  In 1958  Pope Pius XII formally declared Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, to be the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus.

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The celebration of the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves for the season of Lent, which begins the next day.  Remembering this devotion throughout Lent, is a method to help us remain focused on our Lenten penances, striving for reparation for our sins and the sins of the world.  The following prayers are a few that can be used to honor our Lord in this devotion.  May we employ these prayers as means to love our Lord and to help us grow in holiness as He desires. 

The Golden Arrow Prayer

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. 

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Prayer of St. Therese of Jesus to the Holy Face

O Jesus, Who in Thy bitter Passion didst become "the most abject of men, a man of sorrows," I venerate Thy Sacred Face whereon there once did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead; but now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper! Nevertheless, under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite Love and I am consumed with with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all men. The tears which well abundantly in Thy sacred eyes appear to me as so many precious pearls that I love to gather up, in order to purchase the souls of poor sinners by means of their infinite value. O Jesus, Whose adorable Face ravishes my heart, I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy Divine Image and to set me on fire with Thy Love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen. 

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Holy Face Prayer for Sinners

Eternal Father, since Thou hast given me for my inheritance the Adorable Face of Thy Divine Son, I offer that face to Thee and I beg Thee, in exchange for this coin of infinite value, to forget the ingratitude of souls dedicated to Thee and to pardon all poor sinners.

--by St. Therese of Lisieux

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An Aspiration to the Eternal Father to be  Frequently Recited During the Day

Eternal Father, we offer You the Holy Face of Jesus, covered with blood, sweat, dust and spittle, in reparation for the crimes of communists, blasphemers, and for the profaners of the Holy Name and of the Holy Day. Amen. 

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Prayer to Reproduce the Image of God in our Souls

I salute Thee, I adore Thee, and I love Thee, Oh adorable Face of my Beloved Jesus, as the noble stamp of Divinity!  Completely surrendering my soul to Thee, I most humbly beg Thee to stamp this seal upon us all, so that the Image of God may once more be reproduced by Its imprint in our souls.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena to Our Lady of Altagracia

On January 21, Holy Mother Church honors Mary under the title of Our Lady of Altagracia, also known as Our Lady of High Grace.  She is the patroness of the Dominican Order and the Dominican Republic.  The history of Mary under this title dates to the 1500s when two Spanish brothers brought her image to the island of Santo Domingo.  Later they offered it to the parish church in the city of Higuey so that all the parishioners might honor Mary.  

Popular piety states that the devout daughter of a wealthy merchant asked her father to bring her an image of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo, but her father could not find one.  While he was at a friend's house relating his story, and elderly man passed by.  He took a rolled image from his pack, suggesting it was the image of which the merchant searched; it was in fact the image of Our Lady of Altagracia.  The two men eventually returned the painting to the church in Higuey, since the image refused to remain in the house, miraculously transporting itself outside each time it was taken inside.  The elderly man was never seen again.  

This 15th century Spanish painting depicts a nativity scene with Mary looking upon Infant Jesus with love and gentleness.  She is clothed with a blue mantle, which is covered in gold stars.  The image has been crowned by both Pope Pius XI and Pope John Paul II.

The following novena is a beautiful prayer to the Blessed Virgin under the title of Our Lady of Altagracia.  Although, as a novena, the prayer would be prayed from January 12- January 20, it can also be recited anytime as a prayer to honor Our Lady and ask for her intercession.

Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Altagracia 

Preparatory Prayer 

O Dear Mother, Most Sweet Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness! Look at us here, prostrated in your presence wishing to offer you this novena in testimony of our love, and in thanksgiving for the innumerable favors we have received from your hands. You are our Advocate and, like beggars, we come to present our needs to you. You are our Teacher, and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all the love of our hearts. Receive, Dearest Mother, our praise and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen. 

Supplications 

1.- O Sweetest Mother of Altagracia, pure and immaculate since your conception! We beg you to bless our children, preserving their innocence and increasing their love for purity. (Hail Mary…) 

 2.- O Sweetest Mother of Altagracia, Admirable Mother, who in your little house of Nazareth, served as a model for Christian mothers and wives. We ask you to bless our homes so that the sanctity and holiness of marriage will flourish in them. (Hail Mary…) 

3. O Sweetest Mother of Altagracia, you who had the joy of receiving in your arms the body of your Most Holy Son who died on the cross for us, we beg you to come to our aid at the our of our death, so that by dying with the name of Jesus on our lips and hearts, we can fly to the glory of your maternal arms. (Hail Mary...)

Final Prayer 

Most Holy Virgin of Altagracia, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for the continuous blessings you pour down on us. From your hands and from your maternal heart we receive, each day, the sustenance given to us by our Heavenly Father. You are our defender when we are in danger, our aid when we are in need, and our hope in the sacrifices proper of our Christian life. Through your Immaculate Heart we want to sing a song of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings he has given us. We promise you, O Mother, gratitude and fidelity. You will reign forever in our homes and our town where we will venerate you as our Lady and Mother by growing in all your virtues. Make us worthy of being called your children so that serving God and you in this world, we will obtain the highest grace you bring to us: a holy death that will open to us the gates of heaven.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer to the Name of Jesus

 

Prayer to the Name of Jesus 

 O good Jesus, O most compassionate Jesus, O Jesus Son of God and of the Virgin Mary, full of mercy and of pity; O sweet Jesus, have mercy on me according to Thy great mercy. O most clement Jesus, I implore Thee, by that Thy Precious Blood which Thou hast shed for sinners, that Thou wouldst wash away all my iniquities, and look down upon me, wretched and unworthy, humbly seeking Thy forgiveness and invoking this holy Name of Jesus. 

O Name of Jesus, name of sweetness! Name of Jesus, name most full of delight! Name of Jesus, name most lovely! For what is Jesus but Saviour? Wherefore, O Jesus, for Thy holy Name's sake, be to me Jesus, and save me. Suffer me not to be lost, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood. O good Jesus, let not mine iniquity destroy me, the work of Thine almighty goodness. O Jesus most benignant, have mercy on me in this day of mercy, that Thou condemn me not in the day of judgment. 

O most compassionate Jesus, if Thy stern justice incline to condemn me, I make my appeal and my refuge in Thy most pitiful mercy. O most loving Jesus, Jesus most ardently longed for, Jesus most gentle and meek, O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, receive me into the number of Thy chosen. O Jesus, the salvation of those who believe in Thee; O Jesus, the trust of those who flee for refuge unto Thee; O Jesus, the sweetness of those who love Thee; grant that I may love Thee, and cleave faithfully to Thee, and after this most miserable life come to Thee in peace. Amen. 

 --St. Gertrude the Great 

 God bless! 

+JMJ+

During Advent

Saint Anselm stated, "Come now, insignificant man, fly for a moment from your affairs, escape for a little while from the tumult of your thoughts. Put aside now your weighty cares and leave your wearisome toils. Abandon yourself for a little to God and rest for a little in Him. Enter into the inner chamber of your soul, shut out everything save God and what can be of help in your quest for Him, and having locked the door, seek Him out..."

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Throughout Advent, although the world tries in every way to distract us from the approaching birth of Jesus, may we hold tight to St. Anselm's words, abandoning ourselves to God and making ready our hearts for Him. May we journey with Joseph and Mary, who, while fulfilling their necessary tasks, prepared each moment for the coming of the Lord, their Infant Son. During this season of Advent, may we remember to pause, remaining still and silent, and listen for God's voice guiding us as he guided Mary and Joseph on their road to Bethlehem. 

During the Advent season, let us also meditate on the beautiful Marian hymn below.  Believed to have been written during the Middle Ages, this hymn illuminates the link from Mary to Jesus.  Let us strive to keep our gaze upon Our Lady throughout Advent that she may lead us to her Infant Son.

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Mary the Dawn, Christ the Perfect Day

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day; 

Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way! 

Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine; 

Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine! 

Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread; 

Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red! 

Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood; 

Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood! 

Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord; 

Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored! 

Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest; 

Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest! 

Mary the mother, Christ the mother’s Son 

By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Commendation to the Sacred Heart

 On October 17 Holy Mother Church honors St. Margaret Mary Alocoque.  At the age of twenty-two, St. Margaret Mary made her profession at the convent of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial, and after a few quiet years in the convent, St. Margaret Mary began receiving revelations from Our Lord Who informed her of His great desire to be loved by all men. He also wanted devotion to His Sacred Heart to be spread, making twelve promises to those who practiced a true devotion to his Sacred Heart. Through these revelations and her zeal and love for Our Lord, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus spread throughout the world.  She spoke of the Sacred Heart, saying, 

"Behold this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love."

The following prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was found in the writings of St. Margaret Mary.

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Commendation to the Sacred Heart 

O Lord, I elect Thy Sacred Heart my abiding-place. May it be my strength in combat, my support in weakness, my light and guide in darkness; may it supply for my defects and sanctify all my intentions and actions. In union with Thine Own I offer them up that I may be prepared to receive Thee. 

Strengthen and support, O most sacred Heart, the purpose and desire of loving and serving Thee with which Thou didst inspire me, and grant that I perform all the good that according to Thy will I should. 

Be Thou, O God, my strength; do Thou support and defend me, for I am and intend to be forever Thine.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Devotions for Divine Mercy

 "I am Love and Mercy Itself. There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy, neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted – it increases. The soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it." –Jesus to St. Faustina 

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In 1933, God gave Saint Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy. Sister wrote, "I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth, I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lord's wounds, and I understood that God blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus." The following day St. Faustina was taught the prayers we know as the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Jesus said later to Sister Faustina, "Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. He also requested that as “often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke Its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners, for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul” (1320). We can honor Him and fulfill His request, then, on Divine Mercy Sunday and daily at 3:00 p.m., by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet our Lord taught St. Faustina or by using other similar devotions. One example, given below, originates from the journals of St. Faustina. 

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 The Praises of the Divine Mercy 

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in Thee.

Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, accompanying us at every moment of our life, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of Hell, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in Thee. 

Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in Thee. 

Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Thy mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Thy holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself (950).

God bless!

+JMJ+

Seven Prayers of St. Gregory on the Passion of the Lord

Holy Mother Church honors Pope St. Gregory the Great with a feast on March 12.  Well-educated and pious, St. Gregory worked tirelessly for the Church.  He was chosen Pope in 590 and reigned until 604.  During that time he fought against heresies, sent missionaries to convert pagans, including to England, and took care of the poor and sick.  He watched over the priests and the sacred traditions of the Church, and he is also well-known for his influence over the Church's music with Gregorian Chant. From the words from an antiphon in his office, he was called, "the Father of the City, the joy of the World."

The following prayer, penned by St. Gregory the Great, was a well-known medieval prayer often found in prayer books containing the Hours.  Pious tradition holds that one day while St. Gregory was celebrating Mass, Christ Himself appeared during the Consecration as a sign of His True Presence in the Eucharist. Thus, often accompanying the prayer in these prayer books was a picture of St. Gregory, genuflecting at the Consecration, with Christ appearing on the Crucifix in front of the Altar.

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 Seven Prayers of St. Gregory on the Passion of the Lord

I. O Lord Jesus, I adore Thee hanging on the Cross, wearing a crown of thorns upon Thy head. I beg Thee that Thy Cross may free me from the deceiving Angel. Amen. 
1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. 

II.  O Lord Jesus, I adore Thee hanging wounded on the Cross, given vinegar and gall to drink. I beg Thee that Thy wounds may be the remedy of my soul. Amen. 

1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary.

III. O Lord Jesus, I ask by the bitterness of Thy Passion, which Thou didst undergo in the hour of Thy death, so much so when Thy most holy soul left Thy blessed body, have mercy upon my soul when it leaves my body, and lead it to eternal life. Amen. 

1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary.

 
IV. O Lord Jesus, I adore Thee placed in Thy tomb, anointed with myrrh and aromatic spices. I beg Thee that Thy death may be my life. Amen. 

1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. 

V.  O Lord Jesus, I adore Thee descending into hell and freeing the captives from there. I beg Thee, that Thou mayest never permit me to enter there. Amen.  

1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. 

VI. O Lord Jesus, I adore Thee rising from the dead, ascending into heaven, and sitting at the right hand of the Father. I beg Thee that I may be worthy to follow Thee and be with Thee. Amen. 

1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. 

VII. O Lord Jesus, O good Shepherd, preserver of the just, justifier of sinners, have mercy upon all the faithful and be gracious to me, a wretched and unworthy sinner. Amen. 

1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. 

Prayer:  I beseech Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, that Thy Passion may be a strength to me by which I may be strengthened, protected and defended. May Thy wounds be to me food and drink by which I may be nourished, inebriated, and delighted. May the sprinkling of Thy Blood be to me an ablution for all my sins. May Thy death be eternal glory to me. In these may my refreshment, joy, health, zeal, delight, and desire of my body and soul, now and forever. Amen. 

Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, place Thy Passion, Cross, and Death between Thy judgment and my soul, now and in the hour of my death. Deign to grant me grace and mercy, pardon to the living, eternal rest to the dead, peace to Thy Church, and life and eternal glory to all sinners. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen

--from the Paradisus Animae (1670)

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria

 St. Cyril of Alexandria is honored by Holy Mother Church with a feast day on February 9.  Even at a young age, Cyril's intelligence shone.  St. Cyril possessed a great zeal for the salvation of souls and for the defense of Holy Mother Church.  He later became bishop of Alexandria, a position he held for 32 years.  He worked tirelessly against heresy and is especially known for his defense against the Nestorian heresy.  

Preached by Nestorius, who at the time was the bishop of Constantinople, the Nestorian heresy taught that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary as man only; thus, he called our Lady Christokos, meaning mother of Christ, as opposed to Theotokos, meaning mother of God.  While  Nestorius believed in Christ's two natures, he heretically explained this as two separate persons, teaching only the human person of Christ suffered and died.  At the Council of Ephesus, over which St. Cyril presided, the Nestorian heresy was entirely condemned, as was Nestorius himself.  The doctrine of the Incarnation of Our Lord, as well as the truth of Christ's two natures united in one Divine Person  The Council of Ephesus also defined the dogma of Mary as Theotokos, Mother of God.  St. Cyril of Alexandria is known as the Defender of the Incarnation.  He died in 444 and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God 
By St Cyril of Alexandria 

 

Hail, Mother and Virgin, 

eternal Temple of the Godhead, 
Venerable Treasure of Creation, 
crown of virginity, 
support of the true faith, 
on which the Church is founded, throughout the world. 
Mother of God, 
who contained the infinite God under your heart, 
whom no space can contain. 

Through you, the most Holy Trinity, is revealed, 
adored and glorified, 
demons are vanquished, 
Satan cast down from heaven into hell
and our fallen nature again assumed into heaven. 

Through you, the human race, 
held captive in the bonds of idolatry, 
arrives at the knowledge of Truth. 
What more shall I say of you? 

Hail, through whom kings rule, 
through whom the Only-Begotten Son of God 
has become the Star of Light to those sitting in darkness 
and in the shadow of death. 
Amen

God bless!

+JMJ+

Wreath of Gems

 Holy Mother Church devotes the entire month of January to give honor to the Holy Name of Jesus with a specific feast day on January 2.  May we use the entire month to honor our Blessed Lord's Name, expressing love and delight in it and making reparation for the blasphemies against it.

The Wreath of Gems is a prayer composed by St. Gertrude the Great.  It is made of three beads of gold and fifteen of silver. In the prayer book Preces Gertrudianae : Prayers of St. Gertrude and St. Mechtilde of the Order of St. Benedict, we read, 

"While St. Gertrude was offering this wreath of salutations in honour of the name of Jesus, she seemed to see them under the form of roses hung around with golden bells, the fragrance and tuneful harmony of which touched the Sacred Heart with ineffable delight. Those which had been recited with devout intention gave forth a most ravishing melody, while those which had been said carelessly uttered a low and wailing sound. And the Lord said to her: Whenever anyone prays to Me, Hail, sweetest Jesus,..., the depth of the sweetness of My Godhead is stirred within Me, and there spreads itself before Me all odour of wondrous fragrance, which I shed down on him who repeats these words."

Wreath of Gems

First Golden Bead:  Hail, most loving Jesus, life-giving Germ of the Divine Honour, unfading flower of human dignity, my consummate and my only salvation. Thou art my Creator and my Redeemer, and Thou hast so loved me as to leave all Thy bliss and Thy glory, and to purchase me for Thyself with the anguish of Thy death. 

Five Silver Beads:

1. Hail, sweetest Jesus, most precious pearl of the most holy Trinity, with Whose price the world has been redeemed. 

2. Hail, most tender Jesus, refulgent splendour of the Father's glory, Who with the light of Thy countenance dost enlighten and quicken Thine elect in the heavenly country. 

3. Hail, most amiable Jesus, flashing effulgence from the sun of Justice, Who dost inflame the hearts of Angels and Saints with the fire of Thy love. 

4. Hail, most noble Jesus, living Image of Thy Father's substance, Who dost make all those who cleave to Thee partakers of Thy Divine nature. 

5. Hail, most renowned Jesus, Morning Star of Thy Church, Who enlightenest the darkness of the world, and scatterest all the thick darkness of sin. 

Second Golden Bead:  Hail, Jesus, Bridegroom most beauteous in the charm of Thy Divinity; I salute Thee and embrace Thee with the affection of all Thy creatures, and kiss Thee with my mouth, Thou Wound of love. 

Five Silver Beads:

1. Hail, Jesus, fairer than the sons of men, Orient pearl born in the ocean of the Godhead of the Father, Whose generation no created intelligence can declare. 

2. Hail, Jesus, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, heavenly manna of wondrous sweetness, Who dost refresh and satisfy every hungry soul. 

3. Hail, Jesus most resplendent, glowing Fire of uncreated love, Who dost lighten and bear the burden of human toil and misery. 

4. Hail, Jesus, most gentle, sweet channel of heavenly streams, Who dost take away the bitterness of every soul in anguish. 

5. Hail, priceless Jesus, treasure-house of the Divine Essence, Who dost enrich the poverty of our nature. Amen. 

Third Golden Bead:  Hail, Jesus, full of grace, mercy is with Thee, and Thou art blessed among the sons of men; and blessed be Thy most Holy Name, Thy Life and Thy Passion. O sweet Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners now and in the hour of our death. Amen. 

Five Silver Beads:

1. Hail, Jesus, Spouse and Crown of Virgins, we praise Thee for ever, Whose love made Thee Son of the Virgin. 

2. Hail, Jesus, Ruler of all things, fairer in Thy beauty than the sons of men, we acknowledge and worship Thee as our most clement Lord. 

3. Hail, Jesus, wondrous splendour of the Godhead, wonder of wonders, Who dost blot out all the sins of the world. 

4. Hail, Jesus, our consolation, Who dost lay open to us the treasury of the riches of God, Thou true refuge of the poor, and comfort of the afflicted. 

5. Hail, Jesus, glory of Angels, living Fountain, light of all minds, Who dost transcend all joy and all desire. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+