This weekend, we celebrate Memorial Day. Although this video was made for Veteran's Day, it is equally appropriate to view on Memorial Day, as we honor all those who have given their lives for our freedom. As we look at the images, there are so many of children. Please remember the families of our fallen heroes.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
May 29, 2011
May 28, 2011
The Presentation of Jesus, the 4th Joyful Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary
"Our Lady is the first and most exalted model for every consecrated person. Dear brothers and sisters, let yourselves be guided by her. Turn to her for help with humble trust, especially in moments of trial." Blessed John Paul II
"He had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest." Hebrews 2:17
These words from the Letter to the Hebrews express well the message of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. They offer us the key to its interpretation, so to speak, putting it in the perspective of the Paschal Mystery.
The Presentation of the Lord was 40 days after his birth; Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to God as their firstborn son, complying with the law of Moses. Their offering was later to find complete and perfect fulfillment in the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. Only then would He fulfill his mission as the "merciful and faithful High Priest", sharing in our human destiny to the very end.
At the presentation in the temple, Mary, the faithful Virgin who takes part with Him in the eternal plan of salvation, was with Him as she was on Calvary.
Let us contemplate the Virgin while she offers her Son in the Temple of Jerusalem. She unconditionally accepted God's Will at the moment of the Annunciation in a certain way is repeating her words:
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38
This attitude of docile adherence to the divine designs was to mark her entire existence. In the words of Blessed John Paul II, "Our Lady is the first and most exalted model for every consecrated person." Let us be guided by her and turn to her for help, with humble trust, especially in moments of trial. Holy Mother, show us the way to lay down our lives for your Beloved Son Jesus.
"He had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest." Hebrews 2:17
These words from the Letter to the Hebrews express well the message of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. They offer us the key to its interpretation, so to speak, putting it in the perspective of the Paschal Mystery.
The Presentation of the Lord was 40 days after his birth; Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to God as their firstborn son, complying with the law of Moses. Their offering was later to find complete and perfect fulfillment in the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. Only then would He fulfill his mission as the "merciful and faithful High Priest", sharing in our human destiny to the very end.
At the presentation in the temple, Mary, the faithful Virgin who takes part with Him in the eternal plan of salvation, was with Him as she was on Calvary.
Let us contemplate the Virgin while she offers her Son in the Temple of Jerusalem. She unconditionally accepted God's Will at the moment of the Annunciation in a certain way is repeating her words:
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38
This attitude of docile adherence to the divine designs was to mark her entire existence. In the words of Blessed John Paul II, "Our Lady is the first and most exalted model for every consecrated person." Let us be guided by her and turn to her for help, with humble trust, especially in moments of trial. Holy Mother, show us the way to lay down our lives for your Beloved Son Jesus.
May 22, 2011
Mary, we crown you with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Fatima
Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother. we come to you this day as little children in prayer. We beg to make this offering of our hearts as simple and childlike as we can. The three little ones of Fatima have taught us what pleases your maternal heart. We 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. We pray, dear Mother, that the indescribable beauty and the 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. Heavenly Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, we give you our hearts and place our trust entirely in you. We crown you with blossoms and we entrust all these little ones to you.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother. we come to you this day as little children in prayer. We beg to make this offering of our hearts as simple and childlike as we can. The three little ones of Fatima have taught us what pleases your maternal heart. We 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. We pray, dear Mother, that the indescribable beauty and the 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. Heavenly Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, we give you our hearts and place our trust entirely in you. We crown you with blossoms and we entrust all these little ones to you.
May 20, 2011
In my Father's house
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way. Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-3
Come, let us go to the Father. He has prepared a place for us in His Heart. Let us enter into His presence today. Let us give Him all the intentions of this baby prayer ministry. He has prepared a place for us in eternal life. Let us cling to Our Lady. From abundant life to eternal life.
Come, let us go to the Father. He has prepared a place for us in His Heart. Let us enter into His presence today. Let us give Him all the intentions of this baby prayer ministry. He has prepared a place for us in eternal life. Let us cling to Our Lady. From abundant life to eternal life.
May 17, 2011
Mary's Garden
Mary's Garden is a garden, filled with flowers, plants and trees named for Mary and Jesus. It is designed to be a place of beauty that reminds us of our Lord and Our Lady, to experience God's creation, and to invite prayer and contemplation.
"You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed. Arise, north wind! Come, south wind! Blow upon my garden that its perfumes may spread abroad." Song of Solomon 4:12,16
During the Middle Ages, people saw reminders of Mary, the Mother of God, in the flowers and herbs growing around them. Violets were symbols of her humility, lilies her purity and roses her glory. They called her “Flower of Flowers,” and named plants after her. Marigolds were Mary’s Gold, clematis was the Virgin’s Bower and lavender was Our Lady’s Drying Plant.
Devoted to Mary, people decorated her altars with flowers on her feast days. Poets and popes praised her in hymns, as in this 15th-century Ave Maria:
Heil be thou, Marie, that aff flour of all
As roose in eerbir so reed.
In the last century, people also honored Mary with flowers. May crownings were the tradition in Catholic schools during Mary’s month of May, and makeshift home altars bearing an image of Mary were decorated with the choicest home-grown blossoms. Those traditions have almost disappeared, but the medieval custom of finding reminders of Mary’s attributes, glory and sorrows in flowers and herbs has left a legacy that can enrich our lives in this millennium. In medieval times, legends about flowers and herbs, some of them dating from the first century, were used to instruct people, as well as entertain them. Those legends, as well as the Mary names of flowers, can still inform and delight us.
Reflecting on the flower names, we can honor Mary and find relevance for our own lives. We model Mary’s humility as we gaze upon the humble violet, sing her praises with petunias and share her sorrows as we behold the purple blossoms and sword-like leaves of the blue flag iris. Flower and herb legends tell us about important moments in Mary’s life. The Madonna Lily was carried by the Angel Gabriel when he visited Mary to tell her God had chosen her to be the mother of the Savior. Our Lady’s Bedstraw, Holy Hay and other herbs became radiant in the humble manger where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Carnations and the Christmas Rose bloomed on that night.
More than 30 flowers and herbs bear legends about Mary’s life. Many of the plants can be easily grown in your own Mary Garden, a garden dedicated to Mary and containing her image and plants associated with her by name or legend. They are found in Mary Gardens throughout the world, should you want to make a pilgrimage in Mary’s honor. The legends and reflections which follow can take us, in spirit and in our hearts, on a virtual journey with Mary.
Lily of the Valley Convalleria majalis Mary’s Tears.
It was said that when Mary wept at the foot of the Cross, her tears fell to the ground and turned into the tiny fragrant blossoms of this early spring plant. In England it had the name “Our Lady’s Tears” because when viewed from a distance the white flowerets gave the appearance of teardrops falling. The lily of the valley was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary’s Immaculate Conception and represented the purity of body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.
Reflection The sacred text does not speak of your tears, Mary, as our legend does. It tells us instead that you stood by the cross and you were not alone. Other women and John were also there. We wonder at the sorrow, the bitterness, the pain of this little community standing by. Fragrant tiny white lily-bells, a thousand quiet tears bowing before the still-cold winter winds, teach me of springtime and the Resurrection just beyond the stone-cold tomb.
Excerpt from Mary's Flowers by Vincenzina Krymow and M. Jean Frisk, illustrations by A. Joseph Barrish, S.M.
O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the May. Make our hearts a garden of prayers for these little ones and their families.
"You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed. Arise, north wind! Come, south wind! Blow upon my garden that its perfumes may spread abroad." Song of Solomon 4:12,16
During the Middle Ages, people saw reminders of Mary, the Mother of God, in the flowers and herbs growing around them. Violets were symbols of her humility, lilies her purity and roses her glory. They called her “Flower of Flowers,” and named plants after her. Marigolds were Mary’s Gold, clematis was the Virgin’s Bower and lavender was Our Lady’s Drying Plant.
Devoted to Mary, people decorated her altars with flowers on her feast days. Poets and popes praised her in hymns, as in this 15th-century Ave Maria:
Heil be thou, Marie, that aff flour of all
As roose in eerbir so reed.
In the last century, people also honored Mary with flowers. May crownings were the tradition in Catholic schools during Mary’s month of May, and makeshift home altars bearing an image of Mary were decorated with the choicest home-grown blossoms. Those traditions have almost disappeared, but the medieval custom of finding reminders of Mary’s attributes, glory and sorrows in flowers and herbs has left a legacy that can enrich our lives in this millennium. In medieval times, legends about flowers and herbs, some of them dating from the first century, were used to instruct people, as well as entertain them. Those legends, as well as the Mary names of flowers, can still inform and delight us.
Reflecting on the flower names, we can honor Mary and find relevance for our own lives. We model Mary’s humility as we gaze upon the humble violet, sing her praises with petunias and share her sorrows as we behold the purple blossoms and sword-like leaves of the blue flag iris. Flower and herb legends tell us about important moments in Mary’s life. The Madonna Lily was carried by the Angel Gabriel when he visited Mary to tell her God had chosen her to be the mother of the Savior. Our Lady’s Bedstraw, Holy Hay and other herbs became radiant in the humble manger where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Carnations and the Christmas Rose bloomed on that night.
More than 30 flowers and herbs bear legends about Mary’s life. Many of the plants can be easily grown in your own Mary Garden, a garden dedicated to Mary and containing her image and plants associated with her by name or legend. They are found in Mary Gardens throughout the world, should you want to make a pilgrimage in Mary’s honor. The legends and reflections which follow can take us, in spirit and in our hearts, on a virtual journey with Mary.
Lily of the Valley Convalleria majalis Mary’s Tears.
It was said that when Mary wept at the foot of the Cross, her tears fell to the ground and turned into the tiny fragrant blossoms of this early spring plant. In England it had the name “Our Lady’s Tears” because when viewed from a distance the white flowerets gave the appearance of teardrops falling. The lily of the valley was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary’s Immaculate Conception and represented the purity of body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.
Reflection The sacred text does not speak of your tears, Mary, as our legend does. It tells us instead that you stood by the cross and you were not alone. Other women and John were also there. We wonder at the sorrow, the bitterness, the pain of this little community standing by. Fragrant tiny white lily-bells, a thousand quiet tears bowing before the still-cold winter winds, teach me of springtime and the Resurrection just beyond the stone-cold tomb.
Excerpt from Mary's Flowers by Vincenzina Krymow and M. Jean Frisk, illustrations by A. Joseph Barrish, S.M.
O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the May. Make our hearts a garden of prayers for these little ones and their families.
May 15, 2011
John 10:10 I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. "The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." Psalm 23:1
O God, Our Shepherd, you care for your flock across every desert and every dark place. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, seek out and restore all those who have lost their way, that we may all come togetrher into the glory of the Kingdom of Your Risen Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. Today's prayer in the Magnificat.
"So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:7-11
Jesus promises us that He is the Good Shepherd who will give us life more abundantly. Jesus is our Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. As we pray the Memorare to Our Lady each day, let us ask her to keep all the names we receive through this baby prayer ministry safely in her hands.
O God, Our Shepherd, you care for your flock across every desert and every dark place. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, seek out and restore all those who have lost their way, that we may all come togetrher into the glory of the Kingdom of Your Risen Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. Today's prayer in the Magnificat.
"So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:7-11
Jesus promises us that He is the Good Shepherd who will give us life more abundantly. Jesus is our Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. As we pray the Memorare to Our Lady each day, let us ask her to keep all the names we receive through this baby prayer ministry safely in her hands.
May 13, 2011
I am the Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady wants us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, a consecration in which we make a complete surrender of self to our Mother, promising her that we will: Say her Rosary every day. Offer the little daily sacrifices that come our way for the conversion of sinners. Make the five Communions of Reparation on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months. In the last apparition at Fatima Our Lady appeared as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, holding the Scapular in her outstretched hand. The Scapular is the sign of our consecration to Mary's Immaculate Heart. Daily it should remind us of the promise we have made to Mary.
"I am the Lady of the Rosary."
In this manner did the Mother of God identify herself to the shepherd children of Fatima. Repeatedly during Our Lady's series of apparitions to the children, she exhorted the praying of the daily Rosary. And even more, "to pray the Rosary well," with meditation on the mysteries. The Queen of Heaven held out the Rosary to mankind as a means of obtaining the salvation of souls, the conversion of sinners, true world peace, and the conversion of Russia. Let us, as devout Christians and faithful disciples of Jesus and Mary use this spiritual treasure.
Holy Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, we entrust all the names we receive to your loving care.
"I am the Lady of the Rosary."
In this manner did the Mother of God identify herself to the shepherd children of Fatima. Repeatedly during Our Lady's series of apparitions to the children, she exhorted the praying of the daily Rosary. And even more, "to pray the Rosary well," with meditation on the mysteries. The Queen of Heaven held out the Rosary to mankind as a means of obtaining the salvation of souls, the conversion of sinners, true world peace, and the conversion of Russia. Let us, as devout Christians and faithful disciples of Jesus and Mary use this spiritual treasure.
Holy Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, we entrust all the names we receive to your loving care.
May 08, 2011
Firm in Faith with Mary
Today we celebrate Mother's Day. The value of a mother's love and the enormous depth of her commitment to her children is immeasureable. No relationship can ever be as close or as profound. Mary was given us as Mother at the foot of the cross. She showers us with attention, as a true mother would, with a vision toward helping us in our relationship with her Son, Jesus Christ. May Our Lady, in whose eyes we are so special, always lead us to her divine Son and inspire us to greater union with Him.
In the spirit of Servant of God Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the founder of Holy Cross Family Ministries, there is a movement, calling on Christians around the world to unite in praying the rosary for World Youth Day. This is your invitation to be a part of a worldwide campaign of prayer, “Firm in Faith with Mary,” praying the Rosary for World Youth Day on Saturdays from the beginning of May until World Youth Day, in August.
Let us join together in the rosary. Blessed John Paul II called the rosary his “favorite prayer” and “the Gospel made prayer”. Believing in the power of prayer and in Mary’s love for us, her children, we entrust World Youth Day and our whole world to our Holy Mother through this campaign.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. John 15:16
In the spirit of Servant of God Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the founder of Holy Cross Family Ministries, there is a movement, calling on Christians around the world to unite in praying the rosary for World Youth Day. This is your invitation to be a part of a worldwide campaign of prayer, “Firm in Faith with Mary,” praying the Rosary for World Youth Day on Saturdays from the beginning of May until World Youth Day, in August.
Let us join together in the rosary. Blessed John Paul II called the rosary his “favorite prayer” and “the Gospel made prayer”. Believing in the power of prayer and in Mary’s love for us, her children, we entrust World Youth Day and our whole world to our Holy Mother through this campaign.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. John 15:16
May 06, 2011
Mary's Canticle of Praise
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. Luke 1:46-48
Mary will comfort you in your discouragements, solace you in your fatigues, raise you after your falls, reward you for your successes. She will show you her Son, your God and your all. When your spirit within you is excited, or relaxed, or depressed, when it loses its balance, when it is restless and wayward, when it is sick of what it has, and hankers after what it has not, when your eye is solicited with evil and your mortal frame trembles under the shadow of the Tempter, what will bring you to yourselves, to peace and to health, but the cool breath of the Immaculate and the fragrance of the Rose of Sharon.
Blessed John Henry Newman
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley. As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among women. As an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my lover among men. I delight to rest in his shadow, and his fruit is sweet to my mouth. He brings me into the banquet hall and his emblem over me is love. Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left hand is under my head and his right arm embraces me. Song of Solomon 2:1-6
Mary will comfort you in your discouragements, solace you in your fatigues, raise you after your falls, reward you for your successes. She will show you her Son, your God and your all. When your spirit within you is excited, or relaxed, or depressed, when it loses its balance, when it is restless and wayward, when it is sick of what it has, and hankers after what it has not, when your eye is solicited with evil and your mortal frame trembles under the shadow of the Tempter, what will bring you to yourselves, to peace and to health, but the cool breath of the Immaculate and the fragrance of the Rose of Sharon.
Blessed John Henry Newman
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley. As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among women. As an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my lover among men. I delight to rest in his shadow, and his fruit is sweet to my mouth. He brings me into the banquet hall and his emblem over me is love. Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left hand is under my head and his right arm embraces me. Song of Solomon 2:1-6
May 01, 2011
Divine Mercy Sunday and Beatification of Blessed John Paul II
Today is the first day of May, the month we honor Our Blessed Mother Mary. Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, the Beatification of Blessed John Paul II and the one year anniversary of the John 10:10 Baby Prayer Ministry.
I consider this message of Divine Mercy my special task. Providence has assigned it to me in the present situation of man, the Church, and the world. Pope John Paul II
By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls, so let every soul have access to it. Words of Jesus to Saint Faustina Diary, 570
Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire life as a tender mother, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. Words of Jesus to Saint Faustina Diary 1075
Today bring to me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. Seventh Day of the Divine Mercy Novena
"Do not be afraid! Open, indeed, open wide the doors to Christ!" Open your hearts, your lives, your doubts, your difficulties, your joys and your affections to his saving power, and let him enter your hearts. Blessed John Paul II, Celebration of the Great Jubilee, October 22, 1978
Today we give thanks to Our Blessed Mother for whom this baby prayer ministry is dedicated. It is through her intercession that all the names we have received have been carried to Jesus, Our Divine Healer. We began on May 1, 2010 with this sweet video for all the precious little ones.
Totus Tuus Totally Yours
Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother. Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior. Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life. Replace it with yourself. Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always. Pope John Paul II
On this first day of May, Our Lady's month, we entrust all the names we have received and all the names we will receive to Our Lady of the Rosary. We thank Jesus for giving His Mother to us.
I consider this message of Divine Mercy my special task. Providence has assigned it to me in the present situation of man, the Church, and the world. Pope John Paul II
By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls, so let every soul have access to it. Words of Jesus to Saint Faustina Diary, 570
Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire life as a tender mother, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. Words of Jesus to Saint Faustina Diary 1075
Today bring to me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. Seventh Day of the Divine Mercy Novena
"Do not be afraid! Open, indeed, open wide the doors to Christ!" Open your hearts, your lives, your doubts, your difficulties, your joys and your affections to his saving power, and let him enter your hearts. Blessed John Paul II, Celebration of the Great Jubilee, October 22, 1978
Today we give thanks to Our Blessed Mother for whom this baby prayer ministry is dedicated. It is through her intercession that all the names we have received have been carried to Jesus, Our Divine Healer. We began on May 1, 2010 with this sweet video for all the precious little ones.
Totus Tuus Totally Yours
Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother. Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior. Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life. Replace it with yourself. Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always. Pope John Paul II
On this first day of May, Our Lady's month, we entrust all the names we have received and all the names we will receive to Our Lady of the Rosary. We thank Jesus for giving His Mother to us.
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