Saint Irenaeus was one of the most important Church Fathers of the 2nd century AD. Today we celebrate his feast day. Irenaeus was bishop of Lyons, in Southern France, though he appears to have grown up in Smyrna, in Modern day Turkey. There, he had personal contact with Saint Polycarp, one of the Apostolic Fathers who in turn knew the Apostle John, son of Zebedee. He was a pastor and a missionary. Before becoming bishop, Irenaeus studied in Rome where he was influenced by Saint Justin Martyr. His major work, Against Heresies, which appeared around the year 185 AD, exposed the absurdities of the Gnostic cults of the day and included a strong presentation and defense of Catholic Christianity. His heroic writing in defense of the church cost him his life. It is said that he received the martyr's crown around the year 200. He gave up his life for the Lord. He upheld the truth and always sought to foster unity and peace.
Excerpt from Saint Irenaeus' classic second century work, Against Heresies
The Lord, coming into his own creation in visible form, was sustained by his own creation which he himself sustains in being. His obedience on the tree of the cross reversed the disobedience at the tree in Eden; the good news of the truth announced by an angel to Mary, a virgin subject to a husband, undid the evil lie that seduced Eve, a virgin espoused to a husband.
As Eve was seduced by the word of an angel and so fled from God after disobeying his word, Mary in her turn was given the good news by the word of an angel, and bore God in obedience to his word. As Eve was seduced into disobedience to God, so Mary was persuaded into obedience to God; thus the Virgin Mary became the advocate of the virgin Eve.
Christ gathered all things into one, by gathering them into himself. He declared war against our enemy, crushed him who at the beginning had taken us captive in Adam, and trampled on his head, in accordance with God’s words to the serpent in Genesis: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall lie in wait for your head, and you shall lie in wait for his heel.
The one lying in wait for the serpent’s head is the one who was born in the likeness of Adam from the woman, the Virgin. This is the seed spoken of by Paul in the letter to the Galatians: The law of works was in force until the seed should come to whom the promise was made. He shows this even more clearly in the same letter when he says: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman. The enemy would not have been defeated fairly if his vanquisher had not been born of a woman, because it was through a woman that he had gained mastery over man in the beginning, and set himself up as man’s adversary.
That is why the Lord proclaims himself the Son of Man, the one who renews in himself that first man from whom the race born of woman was formed; as by a man’s defeat our race fell into the bondage of death, so by a man’s victory we were to rise again to life.
Eve was visited by a fallen angel and Mary was visited by an angel of the Lord. Eve, by her disobedience, brought sin and death to the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, brought salvation and new life to all humanity.
O Mary, you are the New Eve, the Sanctuary of God, the first Tabernacle of Jesus, Our Comforter, Our Blessed Mother. We offer our prayers to you this day.
June 28, 2011
June 26, 2011
I am the living bread.
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me."
Luke 22:19
Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The gift of the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus. Let us pray for our priests who bring the Eucharist to us. Lord, bless them and keep them holy. Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Eucharist, keep our priests under your mantel of protection always.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine.
John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."
Love of Our Lady and the Eucharist are central to the life of Catholics. This is symbolized powerfully by the great Polish Dominican Saint Hyacinth. When the Tartars invaded the city, he went forth to meet them, leading the procession of novices with the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. Our Lady called out from her alabaster statue, "Take me with you." Saint Hyacinth responded that the statue was heavy and Our Lady answered, "My Son will make it light." Saint Hyacinth was able to carry the statue of Our Lady. He was armed and he walked through the Tartar danger unscathed. And so will we if, armed with the love of Our Lord in the Eucharist and the love of His Mother, we will find that nothing can take us from God. We need the Eucharist. We need the Our Mother.
O Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us and be with us always.
Luke 22:19
Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The gift of the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus. Let us pray for our priests who bring the Eucharist to us. Lord, bless them and keep them holy. Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Eucharist, keep our priests under your mantel of protection always.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine.
John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."
Love of Our Lady and the Eucharist are central to the life of Catholics. This is symbolized powerfully by the great Polish Dominican Saint Hyacinth. When the Tartars invaded the city, he went forth to meet them, leading the procession of novices with the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. Our Lady called out from her alabaster statue, "Take me with you." Saint Hyacinth responded that the statue was heavy and Our Lady answered, "My Son will make it light." Saint Hyacinth was able to carry the statue of Our Lady. He was armed and he walked through the Tartar danger unscathed. And so will we if, armed with the love of Our Lord in the Eucharist and the love of His Mother, we will find that nothing can take us from God. We need the Eucharist. We need the Our Mother.
O Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us and be with us always.
June 25, 2011
Our Lady, Queen of Peace
Since 1981, in a small village named Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, The Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing and giving messages to the world. She tells us that God has sent her to our world and, these years she is spending with us are a time of Grace granted by God. In her own words she tells us, "I have come to tell the world that God exists. He is the fullness of life, and to enjoy this fullness and peace, you must return to God".
Since the apparitions began in 1981, millions of people of all faiths, from all over the world, have visited Medjugorje and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed. Countless unbelievers and physically or mentally afflicted, have been converted and healed.
"Dear children, this is the reason for my presence among you for such a long time: to lead you on the path of Jesus. I want to save you and, through you, to save the whole world. Many people now live without faith; some don't even want to hear about Jesus, but they still want peace and satisfaction! Children, here is the reason why I need your prayer: prayer is the only way to save the human race." (July 30, 1987)
We must realize that Satan is real. He uses us for his own end and purposes. His main purpose is destruction of love, peace, faith, family, and life. Just as God gave David 5 stones with which to defeat Goliath, Our Lady is giving us 5 Stones or Weapons we can use to defeat Satan: Holy Mass and Communion, pray the Rosary daily, fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, read the Bible daily, monthly Confession.
In thanksgiving for 30 years of her daily apparitions, let us pray every day at 3:00PM. "In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in the virtue of My Passion" that all of Our Lady of Medjugorje's intentions that day will be granted!
"At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into MY mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in the virtue of My Passion...." (Diary of St. Faustina, paragraph 1320)
Our Lady's 30th Anniversary Message
“Dear children! Give thanks with me to the Most High for my presence with you. My heart is joyful watching the love and joy in the living of my messages. Many of you have responded, but I wait for, and seek, all the hearts that have fallen asleep to awaken from the sleep of unbelief. Little children, draw even closer to my Immaculate Heart so that I can lead all of you toward eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Our Lady of Medjugorje, Queen of Peace, pray for us and all those for whom we pray.
Since the apparitions began in 1981, millions of people of all faiths, from all over the world, have visited Medjugorje and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed. Countless unbelievers and physically or mentally afflicted, have been converted and healed.
"Dear children, this is the reason for my presence among you for such a long time: to lead you on the path of Jesus. I want to save you and, through you, to save the whole world. Many people now live without faith; some don't even want to hear about Jesus, but they still want peace and satisfaction! Children, here is the reason why I need your prayer: prayer is the only way to save the human race." (July 30, 1987)
We must realize that Satan is real. He uses us for his own end and purposes. His main purpose is destruction of love, peace, faith, family, and life. Just as God gave David 5 stones with which to defeat Goliath, Our Lady is giving us 5 Stones or Weapons we can use to defeat Satan: Holy Mass and Communion, pray the Rosary daily, fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, read the Bible daily, monthly Confession.
In thanksgiving for 30 years of her daily apparitions, let us pray every day at 3:00PM. "In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in the virtue of My Passion" that all of Our Lady of Medjugorje's intentions that day will be granted!
"At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into MY mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in the virtue of My Passion...." (Diary of St. Faustina, paragraph 1320)
Our Lady's 30th Anniversary Message
“Dear children! Give thanks with me to the Most High for my presence with you. My heart is joyful watching the love and joy in the living of my messages. Many of you have responded, but I wait for, and seek, all the hearts that have fallen asleep to awaken from the sleep of unbelief. Little children, draw even closer to my Immaculate Heart so that I can lead all of you toward eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Our Lady of Medjugorje, Queen of Peace, pray for us and all those for whom we pray.
June 24, 2011
He must increase; I must decrease.
Today is the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. John, in the womb of his mother Elizabeth, recognized Jesus, in the womb of Mary. John was filled with the Holy Spirit! John came to prepare the way for the Lord. He knew his mission. He was a prophet of hope and a voice in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance. John always pointed the way to the Lord. John came to serve and to do the Will of the Father. After Jesus came to John to be baptized, John said, "He must increase; I must decrease."
John 3:16-30
For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him." John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease."
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us and all these little ones for whom we pray.
John 3:16-30
For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him." John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease."
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us and all these little ones for whom we pray.
June 21, 2011
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain linking us to God
"The family that prays together stays together. The Holy Rosary, by age old tradition, has shown itself particularly effective as a prayer which brings the family together. Individual family members, in turning their eyes towards Jesus, also regain the ability to look one another in the eye, to communicate, to show solidarity, to forgive one another and to see their covenant of love renewed in the Spirit of God."
"As a prayer for peace, the Rosary is also, and always has been, a prayer of and for the family. At one time this prayer was particularly dear to Christian families, and it certainly brought them closer together. It is important not to lose this precious inheritance. We need to return to the practice of family prayer and prayer for families, continuing to use the Rosary."
"Many of the problems facing contemporary families, especially in economically developed societies, result from their increasing difficulty in communicating. Families seldom manage to come together, and the rare occasions when they do are often taken up with watching television. To return to the recitation of the family Rosary means filling daily life with very different images, images of the mystery of salvation: the image of the Redeemer, the image of his most Blessed Mother. The family that recites the Rosary together reproduces something of the atmosphere of the household of Nazareth: its members place Jesus at the centre, they share his joys and sorrows, they place their needs and their plans in his hands, they draw from him the hope and the strength to go on."
Excerpts from Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II, October 16, 2002
The Mysteries of the Rosary are the events that occurred during the lives of Jesus and Mary. Meditating on the mysteries makes the rosary a powerful devotion.
O Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
"The family that prays together stays together. The Holy Rosary, by age old tradition, has shown itself particularly effective as a prayer which brings the family together. Individual family members, in turning their eyes towards Jesus, also regain the ability to look one another in the eye, to communicate, to show solidarity, to forgive one another and to see their covenant of love renewed in the Spirit of God."
"As a prayer for peace, the Rosary is also, and always has been, a prayer of and for the family. At one time this prayer was particularly dear to Christian families, and it certainly brought them closer together. It is important not to lose this precious inheritance. We need to return to the practice of family prayer and prayer for families, continuing to use the Rosary."
"Many of the problems facing contemporary families, especially in economically developed societies, result from their increasing difficulty in communicating. Families seldom manage to come together, and the rare occasions when they do are often taken up with watching television. To return to the recitation of the family Rosary means filling daily life with very different images, images of the mystery of salvation: the image of the Redeemer, the image of his most Blessed Mother. The family that recites the Rosary together reproduces something of the atmosphere of the household of Nazareth: its members place Jesus at the centre, they share his joys and sorrows, they place their needs and their plans in his hands, they draw from him the hope and the strength to go on."
Excerpts from Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II, October 16, 2002
The Mysteries of the Rosary are the events that occurred during the lives of Jesus and Mary. Meditating on the mysteries makes the rosary a powerful devotion.
O Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
June 19, 2011
Fatima Prayer to the Holy Trinity
O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary I beg the conversion of poor sinners.
The Angel Prayer or Fatima Prayer to the Holy Trinity was given by an angel to the children during the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. With the Blessed Sacrament suspended in the air, the Angel of Peace recited this prayer during the third apparition to the children in Fatima in 1916.
Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. O glorious Mother Mary, you were crowned Queen of heaven and earth by God the Father as his beloved daughter, by Jesus, the Son as his dearest mother and by the Holy Spirit as His chosen spouse. You became the most perfect adorer of the Blessed Trinity. You are our most powerful intercessor and merciful Mother. We entrust our prayers and petitions for all the names we receive through this ministry into your loving care.
June 18, 2011
The Most Holy Rosary
"Look, Father, the Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given new efficacy in the recitation of the Holy Rosary. She has given this efficacy to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families in the world, or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary. With the Holy Rosary, we will save ourselves." Sister Lucia, one of the Fatima visionaries, by Father Fuentes in December 26, 1957
The Holy Rosary is a contemplative prayer, in which we meditate on the life of Christ from birth to eternal life. Prayed daily, it helps a person draw closer to Jesus and helps one to come to know him as friend and Savior. In coming to know Christ better, we can grow to love him more which can help us gradually take on the values of Christ and leave the values of the secular world behind. In this way, we begin to carry the living presence of Christ in our heart.
Through praying the 'Hail Mary,' we give honor to Mary and ask her to intercede for us. Mary is praying with you. Remember that since the 'Hail Mary,'is taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke, it is just as much a Scriptural based prayer as is the 'Our Father.' Therefore, regular meditation enlightens the heart and soul to help us stay on the path of Christ. This is why the Most Holy Rosary is the greatest weapon against Satan, and in the end, it will save the world through conversion of hearts.
True peace begins in our heart through developing our relationship with Christ. It is believed that Our Lady gave the Holy Rosary, in it's present form, to Saint Dominic and she has continued to promote this devotion in many of her visitations to the world. Our Lady continues to invite all Christians, not just Catholics, to pray the Holy Rosary, so Satan can be defeated and the world converted. If you wish to feel the peace of Our Lord Jesus and help to convert the world, pray the Holy Rosary.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us and all the names we receive.
The Holy Rosary is a contemplative prayer, in which we meditate on the life of Christ from birth to eternal life. Prayed daily, it helps a person draw closer to Jesus and helps one to come to know him as friend and Savior. In coming to know Christ better, we can grow to love him more which can help us gradually take on the values of Christ and leave the values of the secular world behind. In this way, we begin to carry the living presence of Christ in our heart.
Through praying the 'Hail Mary,' we give honor to Mary and ask her to intercede for us. Mary is praying with you. Remember that since the 'Hail Mary,'is taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke, it is just as much a Scriptural based prayer as is the 'Our Father.' Therefore, regular meditation enlightens the heart and soul to help us stay on the path of Christ. This is why the Most Holy Rosary is the greatest weapon against Satan, and in the end, it will save the world through conversion of hearts.
True peace begins in our heart through developing our relationship with Christ. It is believed that Our Lady gave the Holy Rosary, in it's present form, to Saint Dominic and she has continued to promote this devotion in many of her visitations to the world. Our Lady continues to invite all Christians, not just Catholics, to pray the Holy Rosary, so Satan can be defeated and the world converted. If you wish to feel the peace of Our Lord Jesus and help to convert the world, pray the Holy Rosary.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us and all the names we receive.
June 13, 2011
Sacred Heart Novena
June is the month of the Sacred Heart.
"Do not ever lose heart when the tempest rages; place all your trust in the Heart of the most gentle Jesus. Pray and I might add, devoutly pester the divine Heart." Saint Padre Pio
What Padre Pio advised the souls he guided along the paths of high spiritual ascents, he was the first to put into practice and more than anyone else lived this intense devotion. When the storms raged in his life which was filled with crosses, and to those who recommended themselves to his prayers, he placed all his hope and all his trust in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The fervent animation and expression of his confidence was the devout daily recitation of a prayer called the "Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus." Why irresistible? Because it was founded on three solemn statements and promises of Jesus in the Gospel, promises that are unconditional when concerning graces of a spiritual order; and that are conditional for graces of a temporal order, if they are in accord with the plans and the Will of our Lord for our good.
O my Jesus, who said: "Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened for you," behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O my Jesus, who said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you," behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O my Jesus, who said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away," encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your and our tender Mother.
Say the Hail Holy Queen and add:
Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
You receive special graces from the Sacred Heart of Jesus by praying the Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the month of June
Who should say this novena? Everyone, especially people who need help in serious family troubles. or those struggling with vice or addiction. It is called the Irresistible Novena because it is so effective in getting results: graces and answers to hard problems and always through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint Padre Pio used to pray it everyday!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us.
"Do not ever lose heart when the tempest rages; place all your trust in the Heart of the most gentle Jesus. Pray and I might add, devoutly pester the divine Heart." Saint Padre Pio
What Padre Pio advised the souls he guided along the paths of high spiritual ascents, he was the first to put into practice and more than anyone else lived this intense devotion. When the storms raged in his life which was filled with crosses, and to those who recommended themselves to his prayers, he placed all his hope and all his trust in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The fervent animation and expression of his confidence was the devout daily recitation of a prayer called the "Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus." Why irresistible? Because it was founded on three solemn statements and promises of Jesus in the Gospel, promises that are unconditional when concerning graces of a spiritual order; and that are conditional for graces of a temporal order, if they are in accord with the plans and the Will of our Lord for our good.
O my Jesus, who said: "Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened for you," behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O my Jesus, who said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you," behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O my Jesus, who said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away," encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your and our tender Mother.
Say the Hail Holy Queen and add:
Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
You receive special graces from the Sacred Heart of Jesus by praying the Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the month of June
Who should say this novena? Everyone, especially people who need help in serious family troubles. or those struggling with vice or addiction. It is called the Irresistible Novena because it is so effective in getting results: graces and answers to hard problems and always through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint Padre Pio used to pray it everyday!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us.
June 12, 2011
Pentecost Sunday
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:19-22
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of the great things God had done, alleluia. Acts 2:4,11
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over all the names we have received. Let the Holy Spirit live in their hearts. May Our Blessed Virgin Mary be our Advocate. God of Spirit and Truth, today we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room, we are at times afraid and need to be assured that You are with us. As Your Spirit enlightened them, may Your Spirit give us the gifts we so desire. Like the Apostles and Mary, may we go out into the world to proclaim Your words.
In the musical treasure of Gregorian chant, there are some compositions that stand out for their exceptional beauty. One such masterpiece is the Sequence for Pentecost Sunday, Veni Sancte Spiritus, a prayer to the Holy Spirit, a melody of unusual beauty. The words and melody blend together so well that it is a fine example of Saint Augustine's observation that one prays twice through song. The melody reflects supplication to the Holy Spirit, revealing a desire for His Love to fill us. Alleluias are not always joyous acclamations, but are often humble interior prayers as is this one. It has become the customary prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit. Come through Mary.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of the great things God had done, alleluia. Acts 2:4,11
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over all the names we have received. Let the Holy Spirit live in their hearts. May Our Blessed Virgin Mary be our Advocate. God of Spirit and Truth, today we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room, we are at times afraid and need to be assured that You are with us. As Your Spirit enlightened them, may Your Spirit give us the gifts we so desire. Like the Apostles and Mary, may we go out into the world to proclaim Your words.
In the musical treasure of Gregorian chant, there are some compositions that stand out for their exceptional beauty. One such masterpiece is the Sequence for Pentecost Sunday, Veni Sancte Spiritus, a prayer to the Holy Spirit, a melody of unusual beauty. The words and melody blend together so well that it is a fine example of Saint Augustine's observation that one prays twice through song. The melody reflects supplication to the Holy Spirit, revealing a desire for His Love to fill us. Alleluias are not always joyous acclamations, but are often humble interior prayers as is this one. It has become the customary prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit. Come through Mary.
June 03, 2011
Saint Thérèse, the little way
An elevator for little souls
Thérèse said there was a place in heaven for little souls as well as the great ones: "I understood that our Lord's love is revealed as perfectly in the most simple soul who resists his grace in nothing, as in the most excellent soul". It was then a matter of finding another route to sanctity: "one that was very straight, very short and entirely new".
By way of illustration she seized upon what was then a recent invention, the lift: "I wish to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection". Thérèse searched the Scripture for the elevator.
In two biblical passages she found what she was seeking:
"Whoever is a little one, let him come to me!"
Proverbs 9:4
"As a mother caresses her babe, so I will comfort you. I will hold you at my breasts, and will rock you on my knees."
Isaiah66:12-13
The lift to holiness
Thérèse found the "lift" for which she was searching: "The elevator which must raise me to heaven is your arms, O Jesus!". But there was one condition. Rather than growing up, she was to remain little. She was to accept her powerlessness, and have boundless trust in the divine mercy.
Nothing, not even her imperfections, was to discourage her any more. "God remembers we are only dust," she said. "As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion on us!" She would later say to one of her novices, "What offends him and what wounds his heart is the lack of confidence".
The little way
The "little way" of St Thérèse is centered on the infinite mercy of God, and recognizes that everything is a grace. Since it believes that Providence is in control from moment to moment, it means proactively embracing the Will of God in every detail and circumstance of our life.
Once established in her new doctrine, Thérèse observed, "Jesus is doing all in me, and I am doing nothing". She was no longer trying to save herself, stumbling on the "stairs". Now she was in the lift, being rapidly made holy by the grace of God.
Because everything is a grace, Thérèse came to realize that God has no need of our works. But the "little way" is not an invitation to do nothing. She also knew that, paradoxically, we prove our love by works. She was also aware that works without love count for nothing. Within the walls of the then little-known Carmelite convent in Lisieux, she would become the greatest saint of modern times by her self-surrender to "Merciful Love", and by "not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look, one word, profiting by all the smallest things and doing them through love".
Saint Thérèse, pray for us and all these little ones.
Thérèse said there was a place in heaven for little souls as well as the great ones: "I understood that our Lord's love is revealed as perfectly in the most simple soul who resists his grace in nothing, as in the most excellent soul". It was then a matter of finding another route to sanctity: "one that was very straight, very short and entirely new".
By way of illustration she seized upon what was then a recent invention, the lift: "I wish to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection". Thérèse searched the Scripture for the elevator.
In two biblical passages she found what she was seeking:
"Whoever is a little one, let him come to me!"
Proverbs 9:4
"As a mother caresses her babe, so I will comfort you. I will hold you at my breasts, and will rock you on my knees."
Isaiah66:12-13
The lift to holiness
Thérèse found the "lift" for which she was searching: "The elevator which must raise me to heaven is your arms, O Jesus!". But there was one condition. Rather than growing up, she was to remain little. She was to accept her powerlessness, and have boundless trust in the divine mercy.
Nothing, not even her imperfections, was to discourage her any more. "God remembers we are only dust," she said. "As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion on us!" She would later say to one of her novices, "What offends him and what wounds his heart is the lack of confidence".
The little way
The "little way" of St Thérèse is centered on the infinite mercy of God, and recognizes that everything is a grace. Since it believes that Providence is in control from moment to moment, it means proactively embracing the Will of God in every detail and circumstance of our life.
Once established in her new doctrine, Thérèse observed, "Jesus is doing all in me, and I am doing nothing". She was no longer trying to save herself, stumbling on the "stairs". Now she was in the lift, being rapidly made holy by the grace of God.
Because everything is a grace, Thérèse came to realize that God has no need of our works. But the "little way" is not an invitation to do nothing. She also knew that, paradoxically, we prove our love by works. She was also aware that works without love count for nothing. Within the walls of the then little-known Carmelite convent in Lisieux, she would become the greatest saint of modern times by her self-surrender to "Merciful Love", and by "not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look, one word, profiting by all the smallest things and doing them through love".
Saint Thérèse, pray for us and all these little ones.
June 02, 2011
The Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus ascended to the Father into heaven, not to abandon us, but to prepare a place for us. This is His message to us of hope and consolation. Through the grace of the Ascension, may we keep our eyes, minds and hearts fixed on heaven.
Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit." When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world. Alleluia. Matthew 28:20
Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit." When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world. Alleluia. Matthew 28:20
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
