For the Feast of St. John Vianney

 Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of St. John Mary Vianney on August 8.  Also known as the Cure D'Ars, St. John Vianney is the patron Saint of parish priests.  Born in France in 1786, St. John was ordained to the priesthood on August 13, 1815 and sent to the little town of Ars to be the pastor to the people there, most who lacked the true Faith.  

He provided his parishioners with an example of a true love of God, the Faith, and zeal for souls.  St. John Vianney offered many penances for his parishioners, and he spent long hours in prayer before our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  The Saint told his parishioners, “One need not say much to pray well...  We know that Jesus is there in the Tabernacle. Let us open our hearts to Him, let us rejoice in His sacred presence. That is the best prayer.”

St. John became known as "a great hospital of souls," spending up to 16 hours a day in the confessional, hearing the confessions of people from all over Europe.  God granted the Cure D'Ars the ability to read souls, which allowed him to bring many stubborn hearts back to the Faith.  He also had a great devotion to St. Philomena, whose feast day is August 11, and many miracles worked through him were at the same time through her intercession.

With the good being accomplished through him, St. John Vianney was at times tormented by the devil.  Once, while the Saint was praying his Office at the end of a long day, the devil kept extinguishing his candle, thus making it too dark to read the prayers.  Finally St. John, relighting the candle again, handed it to the devil, making him hold it for him until he finished. 

Act of Love of the Holy Cure D'Ars 

I love Thee, O my God. 

My only desire is to love Thee, 

until the last breath of my life. 

I love Thee, O infinitely loveable God, 

and I prefer to die loving Thee, 

rather than to live for an instant without Thee. 

I love Thee, O my God, 

and I desire only to go to Heaven, 

to have the happiness of loving Thee perfectly. 

I love Thee, O my God, 

and my only fear is to go to Hell, 

because one will never have the sweet 

solace of loving Thee there. 

O my God, if my tongue cannot say

at all times that I love Thee, 

at least I want my heart to repeat it to Thee! 

as many times as I breathe. Ah! Do me the grace 

to suffer while loving Thee, 

to love Thee while suffering, 

and, that when I die: 

I not only will love Thee, 

but experience it in my heart. 

I beg Thee that: the closer I come to my final end, 

Thou wilt increase and perfect my love for Thee.   Amen.

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Just as God worked much good through the life of St. John Vianney, likewise He continues to work through our own priests.  May we daily remember to pray for our priests and the priests throughout the world, thanking God for them and begging His graces to be bestowed abundantly upon them.

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A Prayer for Priests 

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Thy Holy Love surround them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter. Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us: obtain for us numerous and holy priests. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Ember Days

 Ember Days are three days--Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday--set aside at the beginning of each of the four seasons to offer God prayer, fasting, and abstinence.  The focus of Ember Days, which coincide with the seasons of harvest, are placed to offer God thanksgiving for His creation, to ask for a bountiful harvest, and to ask His help in using it well.  The Ember Days were instituted in the first centuries of the Church, although the exact year is unknown, as a way to counteract the pagan harvest feasts.  St. Leo the Great believed they were even of Apostolic origin, although other sources suggest the 3rd or 4th century.  Eventually the Ember Days were set to fall after Ash Wednesday, Whitsunday, the Exaltation of the Cross (specifically during the third week of September), and the feast of St. Lucy.  On Ember Wednesday and Saturday traditionally one fasts and partakes of partial abstinence, and on Ember Friday one fasts and fully abstains.

Pope St. Leo the Great wrote of the Ember Days after Whitsunday, "And so those teachers, who have instructed all the Church's sons by their examples and their traditions, began the rudiments of the Christian warfare with holy fasts, that, having to fight against spiritual wickednesses, they might take the armour of abstinence, wherewith to slay the incentives to vice... The desire to hurt us is indeed ever active in the tempter, but he will be disarmed and powerless, if he find no vantage ground within us from which to attack us... Therefore, after the days of holy gladness, which we have devoted to the honour of the Lord rising from the dead and then ascending into heaven, and after receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a fast is ordained as a wholesome and needful practice, so that, if perchance through neglect or disorder even amid the joys of the festival any undue licence has broken out, it may be corrected by the remedy of strict abstinence, which must be the more scrupulously carried out in order that what was on this day Divinely bestowed on the Church may abide in us. For being made the Temple of the Holy Ghost, and watered with a greater supply than ever of the Divine Stream, we ought not to be conquered by any lusts nor held in possession by any vices in order that the habitation of Divine power may be stained with no pollution."

In the 5th century Pope Gelasius I prescribed that all ordinations take place on Ember Saturdays, following apostolic tradition.  "Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away" (Acts 13:3).  Thus, linking ordinations with Ember Days, not only did the candidates fast and pray for a few days before receiving Holy Orders, but all of the faithful joined in as well for the sanctification of the priests.  May we likewise use these upcoming Ember Days to offer prayer and penance to God for our newly ordained priests, deacons, and all priests.

Thomas A Kempis wrote beautifully of the priest.  "A priest clad in his sacred vestments is Christ's vicegerent, to pray to God for himself, and for all the people, in a suppliant and humble manner; he has before and behind him the sign of the Cross of the Lord, that he may always remember the Passion of Christ; he bears the Cross before him in his vestment, that he may diligently behold the footsteps of Christ, and fervently endeavor to follow them; he is marked with the Cross behind, that he may mildly suffer, for God's sake, whatsoever adversities shall befall him from others; he wears the Cross before him, that he may bewail his own sins; and behind him, that, through compassion, he may lament the sins of others, and know that he is placed as it were, a mediator betwixt God and the sinner; neither ought he to cease from prayer and oblation, till he be favored with the grace and mercy which he implores.  When a priest celebrates, he honors God, he rejoices the Angels, he edifies the Church, he helps the living, he obtains rest for the dead, and makes himself a partaker of all that is good."

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A Prayer for Priests

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Thy Holy Love surround them from the world's contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister
be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us: obtain for us numerous and holy priests. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer for our Priests

 The second Sunday after Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday, since it is on this Sunday that we hear in the Gospel Jesus telling the Pharisees, “I am the Good Shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.” Dom Gueranger writes, “Divine Shepherd of our souls! How great is Thy love for Thy Sheep! Thou givest even Thy life to save them. The fury of wolves does not make Thee flee from us; Thou becomes their prey, that we may escape, Thou diedst in our stead, because Thou wast our Shepherd.” In the upcoming days the Gospels will tell us of Jesus establishing His Church, giving St. Peter care of His Lambs and Sheep and of making Peter the Shepherd of His whole Church, from whom Christ’s authority would be continued through St. Peter’s successors.

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St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast day is celebrated on April 30, dedicated her life to prayer, penance, and works of charity, especially for the Roman Pontiff and priests. On her deathbed she prayed to God, saying, “O eternal God, receive the sacrifice of my life on behalf of the Mystical Body of the Holy Church. I have nothing else to give, except what You have given me." May we imitate St. Catherine, remembering to pray and sacrifice for Holy Mother Church, especially for our priests and the Pope.

Our priests are so important in our spiritual lives, providing us with numerous opportunities for sanctifying grace through the sacraments and guiding us on our path to sanctification. In return we need to pray daily for them, asking our Lord to shower them with His abundant graces and mercy. We should also pray to our Lady that she may keep them steadfast in all things pleasing to God and safe from the snares of the devil. This following prayer is a fitting and most beautiful one with which to accomplish this.

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The People's Prayer for their Priests

O loving Heart of Jesus! deign to listen to the pleading supplication of Thy people for the sanctification of their pastors. O Heart of Love! teach them to love Thee as Thou desire; make them holy, make them pure, make them prudent, make them wise, make them “be all things to all men” after Thy divine example.

They are the guardians of Thy sacred Flesh and Blood: Oh! make them faithful to this holy trust. Give them excessive reverence for Thy pure Body and a longing thirst for Thy precious Blood, so that having tasted of Its sweetness they may be sanctified, strengthened and purified in the consuming flame of divine love.

O dearest Jesus! do not refuse our humble prayer. Look down with love on Thy priests; fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners; keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Immaculate Body; keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood; keep pure and unearthly a heart sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood; bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may those to whom they have ministered on earth be one day their joy and consolation in Heaven. O Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, model of the priestly heart, give us holy priests. Amen.

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The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life's early morning,

We need them again at its close;

We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,

We seek them when tasting life's woes.

At the altar each day we behold them,

And the hands of a king on his throne

Are not equal to them in their greatness;

Their dignity stands all alone;

And when we are tempted and wander,

To pathways of shame and of sin,

It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--

Not once, but again and again.

And when we are taking life's partner,

Other hands may prepare us a feast,

But the hand that will bless and unite us--

Is the beautiful hand of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,

For the Host which their fingers caress;

When can a poor sinner do better,

Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?

When the hour of death comes upon us,

May our courage and strength be increased,

By seeing raised over us in blessing--

The beautiful hands of a priest.

--Author unknown from an old prayer card

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayers for those Soon to be Ordained to the Priesthood

 On Saturday, May 26 the FSSP will ordain ten new priests in Nebraska.  The names of the 2018 ordinandi for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter are:

Rev. Mr. Martin Adams
Rev. Mr. Stephen Braun
Rev. Mr. Michael Cunningham
Rev. Mr. Christopher Fitzpatrick
Rev. Mr. Graham Latimer
Rev. Mr. Aaron Liebert
Rev. Mr. Daniel Mould
Rev. Mr. Martin Rangel-Garcia
Rev. Mr. Andrew Rapoport
Rev. Mr. Richard Wallace

Additionally Rev. Mr. Seth Phipps will be ordained in the United Kingdom of June 7.

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Please keep all of the men in your prayers, asking God to bless their priesthood and help them become holy priests.  In fact today a friend of mine, Christine, reminded me that if one wishes to pray a novena for these young men, the prayer would begin today.  I know I am posting this reminder late; however, even if you begin on another day, I encourage you to offer your prayers for them as they use these final days, preparing for ordination.  Really any novena prayer would suffice for this intention.  You could also pray St. Catherine of Siena's Prayer for the Church and Priests or the  Prayer for Priests.

I have met many of these deacons, and they are truly wonderful, holy men.  We are so blessed to be a part of the Fraternity of St. Peter.  The impressive formation these men receive is clearly seen.  Thus please join me in praying for them, now and in the years to come, that they may remain steadfast in the True Faith.


The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life's woes.

At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;

And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--
Not once, but again and again.

And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us--
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?

When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing--
The beautiful hands of a priest.

--Author unknown from an old prayer card

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayers Requested and Our Lady of Fatima

 +  Please remember in your prayers Fr. Goodwin, FSSP, who suffered a major stroke today.  He is currently in the hospital in a coma.  Please pray for a speedy recovery for him, or, if it is God's will instead, his entrance into heaven.  May God reward you.  +

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Tomorrow, October 13, is the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in connection with the appearances of Our Lady of Fatima.  To honor Mary on this day, it would be most fitting to recite the Rosary and do acts of penance, as Our Lady requested at Fatima.  Another method through which to honor our Lady of Fatima is the recitation of the following prayer, "Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima."  In this beautiful prayer we pray for Mary's intentions, rather than our own, realizing that nothing we could ask could be as perfect as her requests.  We, her children, give her our hearts, trusting her to love and guide us as our Heavenly Mother.

The prayer is labeled a novena, so it would be most appropriate to pray it nine days prior to this anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, beginning on October 4, or nine days prior to Our Lady of Fatima's feast (which is on May 13).  It could also be prayed for nine days beginning with October 13, this anniversary of her appearance, and extended from there.  Such a beautiful prayer also seems like a wonderful prayer to recite throughout October, to provide our Heavenly Mother with greater devotion and love from us.  

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

Immaculate Heart of Mary, my Mother, I come to you this day as a little child in prayer.  I beg to make this offering of my heart as simple and childlike as I can.  The three little ones of Fatima have taught us what it is that  pleases your maternal heart.

I earnestly desire that all the people of the world be brought back to a humble knowledge and love of the Sacred Heart of your dear Son.  I pray, dear Mother of my God, that the indescribable beauty and the glow-white purity of your own Immaculate Heart may so captivate our souls that we will detest all sin and dedicate our lives to the honor and glory of the God Who created us.  As much as I feel the need of many things, I do not dare in this novena, Mother Mary, to ask one selfish petition for myself.  You revealed the secrets of your own sad heart at Fatima and begged for the restoration of the world to God.  What can I ask of greater good than to unite my heart to yours in this great yearning?  What can I add but the fervent prayer that all the world may listen to your pleading?

I give my heart to you, my heavenly Queen, and in utmost confidence I leave to you the choice of what is best for me in answer to my prayer of love and reparation.  Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, I give you my heart.  Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, I put my trust entirely in you.  

Immaculate Heart of the Mother of my God, we implore, through your powerful intercession the conversion of the hearts of men, complete victory over sin, and the return of peace which you have promised.  Amen.  

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer for our Priests

 Our pastor at St. Rose Philippine Duschesne provided the parishoners with two prayers for Good Shepherd Sunday, which, on the traditional calendar, was last Sunday.  One prayer is "The People's Prayer for their Priests" and the other "The Choice of the State of Life."  Both of these prayers are beautifully composed!  

Although Good Shepherd Sunday has passed, I encourage you to make "The People's  Prayer for their Priests" one of your daily prayers.  Our priests are so important in our spiritual lives, providing us with numerous opportunities for sanctifying grace through the sacraments and guiding us on our path to sanctification.  In return we need to pray daily for them, asking our Lord to shower them with His abundant graces and mercy.  We should also pray to our Lady that she may keep them steadfast in all things pleasing to God and safe from the snares of the devil.  This is a fitting and most beautiful prayer with which to accomplish this.

The People's Prayer for their Priests

O loving Heart of Jesus! deign to listen to the pleading supplication of Thy people for the sanctification of their pastors. O Heart of Love! teach them to love Thee as Thou desire; make them holy, make them pure, make them prudent, make them wise, make them “be all things to all men” after Thy divine example.

They are the guardians of Thy sacred Flesh and Blood: Oh! make them faithful to this holy trust. Give them excessive reverence for Thy pure Body and a longing thirst for Thy precious Blood, so that having tasted of Its sweetness they may be sanctified, strengthened and purified in the consuming flame of divine love.

O dearest Jesus! do not refuse our humble prayer. Look down with love on Thy priests; fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners; keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Immaculate Body; keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood; keep pure and unearthly a heart sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood; bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may those to whom they have ministered on earth be one day their joy and consolation in Heaven.

O Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, model of the priestly heart, give us holy priests.  Amen.

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The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,

We seek them when tasting life's woes.

At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;

And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--
Not once, but again and again.

And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us--
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?

When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing--
The beautiful hands of a priest.

--Author unknown from an old prayer card

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The Choice of the State of Life

O my God, Thou who are the God of wisdom and of counsel, Thou who reads in my heart the sincere will to please Thee alone, and to govern myself with regard to my choice of a state of life, entirely in conformity with Thy most holy desire; grant me, by the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin, my Mother, and of my holy patrons, especially of St. Joseph and St. Aloysius, the grace to know what state I ought to choose; and when to embrace it, so that in it I may be able to pursue and increase Thy glory, work out my salvation, and merit that heavenly reward which Thou has promised those who do Thy holy Will.  Amen.

"The world's thy ship and not thy home."  --St. Therese of Lisieux

God bless!

+JMJ+