Reflection: The Holy Innocents

Beloved, now this is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Jesus came to us in Goodness and Light as a vulnerable little baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. Amid the joy of Christmas, there is great sadness today as we remember the Feast Day of the Holy Innocents, the male children under the age of two who were put to death by Herod. His hatred for these little children made them the first martyrs for Jesus. 

When Herod realized that the Magi did not return to him after they followed the star to see the newborn king of the Jews, he became furious and ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under. The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children...”Rachel was the wife of Jacob. She is pictured as weeping at the place where the Israelites were herded together by the conquering Assyrians for their march into captivity.

Matthew 2:12-15
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the Child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Ponder what it was like for Joseph when the angel appeared to him in a dream. Imagine how concerned he must have been for Mary and the Child Jesus. Joseph did not doubt or question the angel. He rose from the dream and left for Egypt immediately. Joseph trusted and obeyed God. Pray to Joseph and ask him to help you trust in God as he did.

Matthew 2:16-18
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."

Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the whereabouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could also “do him homage.” They found Jesus, offered him their gifts and, warned by an angel, avoided Herod on their way home. Jesus escaped to Egypt.

We remember the Holy Innocents today. We pray for all the babies lost in our time to the horror of abortion. We pray for their families and for all souls wounded by abortion.
Kiss of Mercy - Prayer Apostolate for Healing from Abortion

A baby is a precious gift from God. We pray that ALL LIFE will be protected through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn.

The Shrine of the Holy Innocents - A sacred place of prayer and healing for parents and others who have been touched by the loss of a child.

O Come Let Us Adore Him

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given us; upon His shoulder, dominion rests. They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:5 

Luke 8-14 "Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Heavenly Father, we contemplate and gaze upon the newborn Baby Jesus, all holy, full of innocence, the Son of God.  Sweet Baby Jesus, Prince of Peace, we rejoice on this day of Your birth. Come into our hearts with Your peace and love. We entrust to You all the names we receive through this prayer ministry and we ask Our Lady of the Rosary to always be Our Comforter and Our Most Powerful Intercessor.  O Come O Come Emmanuel!

Jesus came to us as a little Baby so we would not be afraid to come to Him. Let us make our hearts like the manger ready to receive Jesus and His great Love for us. 

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

The Message of God's Love

What Child is this?

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."  Luke 2:8-14 

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them they had great fear but they listened to the message of the angel.  O Lord, help us to listen to you when we are afraid.  Help us to see the signs You give us that lead us to great joy. Stay with us, as we come, gazing at You lying in the manger.  O Prince of Peace, bring Your peace into the world, into our families and into our hearts. 

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.  Luke 2:15-20 

O Mary and Joseph, the shepherds came in haste to see the babe lying in the manger.  You welcomed them as you welcome us to come and see the baby Jesus, His hands outstretched to us.  As we kneel before the baby, we sing songs of praise to see the newborn King.  O Mary, you kept all these things, pondering them in your heart.  Help us to be like you, Mary, and to ponder all the Lord has done for us.  Blessed Saint Joseph and Holy Mary, Mother of God, draw us close to the Baby Jesus where we may find comfort and rest. 

The Canticle of Mary

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

As you prepare your hearts for the coming of the Baby Jesus, call upon Mary in all the difficulties you may be experiencing. Ask her to comfort you, to protect your loved ones and to draw you close to the Baby Jesus. As you kneel at the crib, gaze at Him in wonder. He gazes at you with great love. You are His beloved child. Open your heart now and let the Baby Jesus enter. Invite Him in. Let Him shine His light and love upon you.


The Almighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name. Luke 1:49

The Christmas crib

The cherished tradition of the Christmas crib and the Nativity scene was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, Saint Francis longed to see, with his own eyes, how Jesus came to Bethlehem, that he arranged to have the scene recreated in a cave at Greccio, using live people and animals. During the solemnities of the Mass being offered there, a little child was seen lying in the manger.

From that celebration began the custom of the Christmas crib or crèche. The manger helps us to contemplate the love of God who came as a little Baby and revealed Himself in the simplicity of the Bethlehem cave. Saint Francis of Assisi was so overwhelmed by the mystery of the Incarnation that he wanted to present it again in Greccio with the living manger, which led to our tradition today.

The crib helps us understand the secret of the true Christmas because it speaks of humility, poverty and the merciful goodness of Christ,

Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor.  2 Corinthians 8:9

Christmas brings joy and peace to those who accept the words of the angel, as the shepherds did:

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  Luke 2:12

Place your Nativity scene under your Christmas tree as a visible reminder of that Holy Night when our Savior was born. May we see the Holy Family, Mary and Joseph and the little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin. May we remember that the wood of the manger that held Him so securely would one day give way to the wood of the Cross. May we too embrace Jesus with all of our love as Saint Francis did.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and all the names we receive through this ministry.

Reflection: "She will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus"

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him Mary's child was conceived  by the Holy Spirit, Joseph responded with complete trust. He awoke from his dream and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and he took Mary into his home. 

Ponder Joseph's trust and ask him to teach you how to trust the way he trusted. When the angel appeared in his dream, calling Joseph, by name, the angel's first words were, "Do not be afraid." 

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been conceived in her. She will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:20-21

The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home."  Joseph was betrothed to Mary. Imagine how he must have felt when he found out that Mary was with child! He was a good and loving man. He wanted to protect Mary so decided he would divorce her quietly. 

Meditation:

Are you afraid about something? Is there a situation in your life that provokes fear and worry? Go to Joseph. When you are faced with something that you do not understand, go to Joseph. Ask him to be with you and to help you trust the way he did. Go to Joseph. He will console you and protect you. As you await the birth of the Baby Jesus, invite Joseph to come into your home, the home of your heart.

Visit a chapel this week before Christmas, sit before the tabernacle or the creche and ponder the angel's message to Joseph. The angel called him "by name" and told him not to be afraid. As you sit before the Lord, He calls you "by name." Pour out your heart to Him and receive His love and peace.

Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and they shall name Him Emmanuel which means "God is with us." Matthew 1:23

Reflection: We are Sandy Hook. We choose love. 26 Angels, always here, never forgotten.

Today is the 5th anniversary of the Newtown Connecticut school tragedy, We remember the lives of twenty children and six educators and their families, friends and loved ones. 

Today on the door of a local diner, a teddy bear with wings cradles a smaller bear, alongside a message, declaring that the town's twenty six Angels are always here, never forgotten.

We pray for the community, for the priests of Saint Rose of Lima Parish and for the ministers and rabbis who continue to guide and console all the brokenhearted. 

I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, "Fear not, I will help you."  Isaiah 41:13

May the Angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs greet you at your arrival and lead you into the holy city, Jerusalem. May the choir of Angels greet you and like Lazarus, who once was a poor man, may you have eternal rest.

Jesus is the Divine Healer. May Mother Mary wrap her protective mantle around the grieving families, console them and draw them into the Sacred Heart of Jesus where they will find healing, hope, comfort and rest.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18

After the massacre, there was a simple sign in Newtown:

We are Sandy Hook. We choose love.

Love and truth will meet. justice and peace will kiss.  Psalm 85:11

Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, we pray for continued healing and hope for the community in Newtown Connecticut. We implore the intercession of Father Patrick Peyton CSC, the Rosary Priest and remember his powerful messages: "A family that prays together stays together" and "A world at prayer is a world at peace."  May the love of Jesus and Mary be poured into their broken hearts.

A child shall lead them.  Isaiah 11:6 

In the midst of horror and suffering, God descends.

Mediation:
Place yourself in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. As you rest there with Him, imagine God the Father descending upon you and the Holy Spirit coming to you with His love and grace. You are in the Presence of the Holy Trinity and Mary is with you. Gaze at the Face of Jesus and bring your sorrows and sufferings to Him. Ask Jesus for the grace of healing and peace.  

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your Holy Will, which is Love and Mercy itself.  Closing prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Today bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children and immerse them in My Mercy. Sixth day of the Novena of Divine Mercy

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Patroness of the Unborn and of the Americas  
Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. A poor Indian Juan Diego was a 57 year old widower who lived in a small village near Mexico City. On Saturday morning December 9, 1531, he was on his way to attend Mass in honor of Our Lady. He was walking by a hill called Tepeyac when he heard beautiful music like the warbling of birds. A radiant cloud appeared and within it a young Native American maiden dressed like an Aztec princess. The lady spoke to him in his own language and sent him to the bishop of Mexico, a Franciscan named Juan de Zumarraga. The bishop was to build a chapel in the place where the lady appeared.

Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego:
"Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of your joy?"

“My dearest son, I am the eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, Author of Life, Creator of all and Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth...and it is my desire that a church be built here in this place for me, where, as your most merciful Mother and that of all your people, I may show my loving clemency and the compassion that I bear to the Indians, and to those who love and seek me.”

Juan Diego went to the bishop who told him to have the lady give him a sign. About this same time Juan Diego’s uncle became seriously ill. Poor Diego tried to avoid the lady but she appeared to him and assured him that his uncle would recover and she provided roses for Juan to carry to the bishop in his cape or tilma. Juan Diego told his story to the Spanish bishop, who instructed him to return and ask the Lady for a miraculous sign to prove her claim. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather some flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill. It was winter and no flowers bloomed, but on the hilltop Diego found flowers of every sort, and the Virgin herself arranged them in his tilma, or peasant cloak. When Juan Diego opened his tilma in the bishop’s presence, the roses fell to the ground and the bishop sank to his knees. On Juan Diego’s tilma appeared an image of Mary miraculously imprinted exactly as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac. It was December 12, 1531.

The Image on the Tilma

The imprint of Mary on the tilma is striking, and the symbolism was primarily directed to Juan Diego and the Aztecs. Mary appears as a beautiful young Indian maiden with a look of love, compassion, and humility, her hands folded in prayer in reference to the Almighty God. Her rose dress, adorned with a jasmine flower, eight petal flowers, and nine heart flowers symbolic to the Aztec culture, is that of an Aztec princess. Her blue mantle symbolized the royalty of the gods, and the blue color symbolized life and unity. The stars on the mantle signified the beginning of a new civilization. La Morenita appeared on the day of the winter solstice, considered the day of the sun's birth; the Virgin's mantle accurately represents the 1531 winter solstice! Mary stands in front of and hides the sun, but the rays of the sun still appear around her, signifying she is greater than the sun god, the greatest of the native divinities, but the rays of the sun still bring light. Twelve rays of the sun surround her face and head. She stands on the moon, supported by an angel with wings like an eagle: to the Aztec, this indicated her superiority to the moon god, the god of night, and her divine, regal nature.

Most important are the black maternity band, a jasmine flower, and a cross that are present in the image. Mary wore a black maternity band, signifying she was with child. At the center of the picture, overlying her womb, is a jasmine flower in the shape of an Indian cross, which is the sign of the Divine and the center of the cosmic order to the Aztec. This symbol indicated that the baby Mary carried within her, Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, is Divine and the new center of the universe. On the brooch around her neck was a black Christian cross, indicating she is both a bearer and follower of Christ, the Son of God, our Savior, who died on the Cross to save mankind. The image signified Mary bringing her Son Christ to the New World through one of their own.

Our Lady's apparition was an event of great significance for Native Americans. Nine million Indians became Catholic in a very short time. Our Lady of Guadalupe shows us God's love for the poor and for the unborn.  Our Lady said to Juan Diego, "I will give all my protection to the people. I am the merciful Mother of all mankind. Am I not your fountain of life."  Our Lady of Guadalupe protects all her children, born and unborn.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, we entrust all the names we receive through this prayer ministry to you, our most loving and merciful Mother.

Reflection: Prepare the way of the Lord...

A voice of one crying in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths."  Mark 1:3

In the wilderness, John the Baptist proclaimed the saving Presence of God.  After the Baptism of the Lord, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit rested upon Him in the form of a dove. The voice of the Father was heard: This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him.  God came to a deserted place. He calls us into a deserted place, into the silence, where we can hear Him. 

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortable unto her.  Hosea 2:14  

It is the second week of Advent, a time of waiting and a time of preparing. As we await the coming of the birth of Jesus, let us ask Him to come into our hearts. Find a place to be quiet and sit with the Lord. Stop into a chapel or church. Place yourself in His Presence and just be. When you quiet your mind and heart, He will speak to you in the silence.

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Be still and trust in God. You are His beloved child. He never leaves you alone, unaided, or forgotten. God comes when you call Him. Be still. When the noise and storms of the world are all around you, come into the quiet Presence of the Lord and the storms will not come into your heart. Place your worries and fears in His hands and place yourself in His Presence. When you are in pain or anguish, God comes and He heals your broken heart. 

Be still. Pray and ponder God's Word, rest, take a walk, slow down and free your mind and heart so God can dwell within you. Prepare the way of the Lord...

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Saint Juan Diego

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Juan Diego.  He deeply loved the Holy Eucharist.  By special permission of the Bishop, he received Holy Communion three times a week, a highly unusual occurrence during those times. Saint Pope John Paul II praised Juan Diego for his simple faith nourished by catechesis and pictured him as a model of humility for all of us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe spoke these words to Juan Diego and she speaks these words to us.

Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of your joy? Are you not in the fold of my mantle, in the cradle of my arms?

Prayer to Saint Juan Diego
You who were chosen by Our Lady of Guadalupe as an instrument to show your people and the world that the way of Christianity is one of love, compassion, understanding, values, sacrifices, repentance of our sins, appreciation and respect for God’s creation, and most of all one of humility and obedience; You whom we know is now in the Kingdom of the Lord and close to our Mother; Be our angel and protect us, stay with us as we struggle in this modern life often not knowing where to set our priorities; Help us to pray to our God to obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit and use them for the good of humanity and the good of our Church, through the Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Heart of Jesus. Amen

Saint Juan Diego, pray for us, for all the little ones and families for whom we pray.

The Immaculate Conception of Mary

You are all beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you. Song of Solomon 4:7

Today is the Feast Day of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On this day, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was conceived without sin. The Immaculate Conception means that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from Original Sin from the very moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne.

We celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8; nine months before is December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Today is the Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America. May Our Lady bless our country and protect and guide us. Please pray for the protection and sanctity of all Life, especially for life in the womb, for the restoration of the sanctity of Marriage and for the protection of Religious Freedom in our beloved country.

Christ is the "new Adam". The Church Fathers, Saint Justin in 150AD and Saint Irenaeus 180AD, saw Mary as the "new Eve". She humbly obeyed God; Eve disobeyed. The Church Fathers also called Mary the "new ark of the covenant" and theotokos, God-bearer. From these titles came the doctrine of Mary's Immaculate Conception and her sinlessness unfolded. Saint Ephrem, the Syrian, in 373AD spoke of Mary as without stain or blemish, calling her "all pure, all immaculate, all stainless, all undefiled, all incorrupt, all inviolate." Saint Augustine left open the possibility of Mary's sinlessness, using language similar to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Heavenly Father, You prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy Mother of your Son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by His death and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us, by her prayers, to live in Your presence without sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Reflection: Advent, a time of waiting...

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. The best way to prepare for Advent is to spend it with Mary, reflecting on how she pondered God's Word. Mary was still. Gaze at the image of the Madonna with Child awaiting the birth of Jesus and ponder like Mary.

Mary invites you to be still. to listen and ponder as God speaks to you during this beautiful season of Advent, as you prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus. 

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:11

How can you prepare your heart for the coming of the baby Jesus on Christmas Day? Ask Our Lady to accompany you. She is your most loving Mother and she will always lead you to her Beloved Son. 

Be still like Mary. Spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. It is there, in the silence, that Jesus will speak to your heart. The message of Advent is to bring light into a world of darkness. The Advent candles symbolize Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. It is He who dispels the darkness and brings hope. The Lord is always coming to those who seek Him. Let us seek Him through the eyes and heart of Mary.

The silent soul is capable of attaining the closest union with God. It lives almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent soul without hindrance. In order to hear the voice of God, one has to have silence in one's soul and to keep silence; not a gloomy silence but an interior silence; that is to say, recollection in God. Diary of Saint Faustina 198, 477, 118

No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but You doing such deeds for those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:3 

In the wilderness, John the Baptist proclaimed the saving Presence of God. After the Baptism of the Lord, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit rested upon Him in the form of a dove. The voice of the Father was heard: This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him. God came to a deserted place. He calls you into a deserted place, into the silence, where you can hear Him. 

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and lead her into the wilderness, and speak persuasively to her. Hosea 2:16

Open the door of your heart, be still and rest awhile...

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Andrew the Apostle. As Our Blessed Mother Mary always leads us to Jesus, Saint Andrew brought others to Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ; and he brought him to Jesus. 

When Jesus called Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, He said to them, "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

They immediately dropped their fishing nets and followed him. Let us say Yes to Jesus the way Andrew, Simon and Our Blessed Mother Mary did. Let us call on their intercession in our need.

A novena is normally a nine day prayer, the term is sometimes used for any prayer that is repeated over a series of days. This prayer is often called the "Christmas Novena" or the "Christmas Anticipation Prayer" because it is prayed 15 times every day from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle until Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent is the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew.

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once; or divide up the recitation as necessary, perhaps five times at each meal. Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your children on the Advent season.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

Saint Andrew, you gave your life to follow Jesus. Help us offer our lives to follow Him in all we do and in all we say. Saint Andrew, pray for us.

Saint Catherine Labouré, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Catherine Labouré. In 1830, on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent, Sister Catherine and her community were gathered in the chapel for afternoon prayers. Suddenly, Our Lady appeared to Catherine and entrusted her with the mission of making and distributing the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, now known as the Miraculous Medal.

At first Mary appeared standing on a globe and dressed in white having with a long white veil which fell to her feet. The Virgin held in her hands, at the height of her shoulders, a golden ball which she seemed to be offering to God as she raised her eyes to heaven. Her fingers were covered with rings whose precious jewels sparkled brilliantly and showered down innumerable rays of light on the globe beneath her feet, almost obscuring the view of her feet. Mary lowered her eyes and looked directly at Catherine. Mary said nothing, but Catherine heard this message, 

"The ball which you see represents the world, especially France, and each person in particular. These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The jewels which give no rays symbolize the graces that are not given because they are not asked for." 

Then the apparition changed. Our Lady appeared with a white dress, a blue mantle, and a white veil which draped back over her shoulders. She was still standing on the globe, and had one foot on the head of a serpent which lay at her feet. The 1830 was marked on the globe. The Virgin had her arms and hands pointed downwards, and a cascade of rays was falling down from both hands onto the globe. An oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin, and written around within it, in letters of gold, was the beautiful prayer, 

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Then the vision revolved to show the reverse side of the medal. Catherine saw a Cross with a bar at its feet with which was intertwined an "M" and beneath the "M" were the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, both surmounted by flames of love, one having a crown of thorns, and the other pierced with a sword. Encircling all of this were twelve stars around the oval frame. 

Sister Catherine died on December 31, 1876. In 1895, the cause for sainthood was introduced in Rome and she was beatified on May 28, 1933. When her body was exhumed, after fifty-seven years of burial, it was found to be completely incorrupt and supple. She was canonized a Saint on July 27, 1947.

Saint Catherine Labouré, pray for us!  

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us and all the intentions we receive through this ministry! 

Feast Day of Jesus Christ the King of the Universe

The good thief, hanging next to Jesus on the cross said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom." Jesus replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:42-43

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Today is the last day of the liturgical year. The new Church Year begins next Sunday on the first Sunday of Advent, a time of waiting in hope and expectation, a time of longing for the coming of the Kingdom of God. We receive Christ the King into our hearts through the Blessed Virgin Mary. She walked with Jesus and always brings us to Him. It is through her love that we have the knowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.

“In that first ‘fusion’ with Jesus in Holy Communion, it was my Heavenly Mother again who accompanied me to the altar for it was she herself who placed her Jesus into my soul.”  Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church

"The Virgin Mary, being obedient to His Word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God."  Saint Irenaeus, Father of the Church

"I am not only the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of Mercy."  Our Lady to Saint Faustina

“King” was one of the earliest titles given to the Son of God. The title does not refer to a status of an earthly king, which many of the Jews had been expecting; someone to overthrow the Roman rule and be an earthly king of the Israel. Rather He came to be the spiritual king; His kingdom is in heaven, not confined to the earth alone. It is an eternal Kingdom of light and truth, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace.  The King is love.

And this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  1 Timothy 6:15

Jesus Christ, King of Divine Majesty, have mercy on us. Remember us when You come into Your Kingdom. Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us.

Mass in Thanksgiving for you...

In thanksgiving, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered monthly for the John 10:10 prayer partners and prayer intentions. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for you and all your prayers. The Lord receives all our prayers and little offerings and places them where they are needed. Prayer is a spiritual work of mercy.

The Lord is good to all, compassionate toward all Your works. All Your works give You thanks, Lord and Your faithful bless You. Psalm 145:9-10

Catechism of the Catholic Church #1330  The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all His benefits, for all He has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means, first of all, "thanksgiving."

Our Blessed Virgin Mary is Mother of the Eucharist. She offered her life and gave her Fiat through obedience and humble service. This is true worship of God, surrendering to His Will. In heaven, she leads a song of eternal praise, like incense raising up to God.

Listen, my faithful children: open up your petals, like roses planted near running waters; send up the sweet odor of incense, break forth in blossoms like the lily. Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all He has done!  Sirach 39:13-14

O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Let us give thanks to the Lord and ponder all He has done for us, especially in giving Himself to us in the Eucharist and giving His Mother Mary as our Mother.

The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

The Presentation of Mary

In accordance with Jewish custom Mary's parents, Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, named her eight days after her birth, and were inspired to call her Mary.

The Magnificat
The Canticle of Mary

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his Name." Luke 1:46-49

Let us pray the words of Saint Bernard who invites us to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did:

Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary. In danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart. If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination.

The meanings ascribed to Mary's name by the early Christian writers and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers. "Bitter Sea," "Myrrh of the Sea," "The Light Giver," "The Enlightened One," "Lady," "Seal of the Lord," and "Mother of the Lord" are the principal interpretations. From the time of Saint Jerome until the 16th century, preferred interpretations of Mary's name in the West were "Lady," "Bitter Sea," "The Light Giver," and especially "Star of the Sea." Stella Maris was by far the favored interpretation. The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, (in Latin Domina) means lady or sovereign; this Mary is in virtue of her Son's sovereign authority as Lord of the World.

We call Mary our Lady as we call Jesus our Lord, and when we pronounce her name we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection.

Saint Ephrem said, "that the name of Mary is the key of the gates of heaven," in the hands of those who devoutly invoke it.

O Mary, on this Memorial of your Presentation in the Temple, we call upon you and entrust our prayers to you, our most loving Mother.

Reflection: "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me."

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by. He inquired what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Luke 18:35-38

Then the crowd rebuked the blind man and tried to silence him, but he persisted in calling out to Jesus. When Jesus heard him cry out, He stopped and asked that the man be brought to Him.

And when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see." Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you." He immediately received his sight and followed Him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God." Luke 18:40-43

Meditation:

Imagine you are in the crowd and you witness this scene. A blind man hears that Jesus is coming and he calls out to Him, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stops and says, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 

Then Jesus turns and speaks to YOU the same words, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Call out to Jesus now, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus is waiting for you. Are you blinded by the things of the world? Is your heart open to Him? 

Tell Him what you want Him to do for you.

When you have a personal encounter with Jesus, you are changed forever. Sometimes, people will try to silence you or stop you from turning to Jesus. Do not listen to their rebukes. Cry out to Jesus. Turn to Him and tell Him what you want Him to do for you.

Jesus is calling YOU to an intimate encounter. Are you blind or are you open to see Him?

Go to Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus is waiting for you there. He will open your eyes and He will enter your heart. Come away and be still...

Listen, as Jesus speaks to YOU: "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Jesus performs many miracles in order to increase faith. Jesus wants each one of us to have a personal encounter with Him. He wants to touch your heart in an intimate way, to meet you personally. When He comes to you, He will increase your faith and He will heal you in ways you could never imagine. Thank and praise Him for what He has done for you.

"Come away by yourself to a secluded place and rest awhile." Mark 6:31

Reflection: Grace and Mercy

Grace and Mercy are beautiful gifts from God!

Those who trust in Him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with Him in love; Because grace and mercy are with His holy ones, and His care is with His elect. Wisdom 3:9

You are God's elect, His holy ones, and He offers you grace and mercy. Trust in Him and seek Him.

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His Face continually. Psalm 105:4

Grace: The grace conferred by the valid and fruitful reception of the sacraments. It may be one or more of several kinds. Sanctifying grace is communicated in Baptism, Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. Sanctifying grace is always increased when a sacrament is received in the state of grace. Actual grace is given by all the sacraments. The sacramental character is indelibly imprinted on the soul in Baptism, Confirmation and the Priesthood. A distinctive sacramental grace is imparted by each of the seven sacraments, corresponding to the purpose in the supernatural life in the soul.

Mercy: The disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422:  "Those who approach the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their way, and sinners their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord and find mercy; to our God who is generous in forgiving. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, oracle of the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:6-9

Our Blessed Virgin Mary offered her life to God giving her Fiat, her yes, to Him through her obedience and humbly surrendering to His Will. Mary will help you seek God. Ask her to be with you and guide you. She will teach you how to give your Fiat and she will always lead you to Jesus.

Meditation:
The Lord is near. Draw near Him and rest your head upon His Sacred Heart. Cry out to Him in prayer. Seek His Face. Turn to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Run to Confession. Call upon Mary, Mother of Mercy, to help you. Jesus is there, waiting for you. Come to the fountain of mercy and grace. He will forgive, heal and strengthen you. Come with your pain, sufferings and all your misery. Lay it all down before the Lord. Come and rest upon His Sacred Heart where the Blood and Water gushes forth from the Fount of Mercy.

O Jesus, teach us to know Your ways and raise our thoughts to Your thoughts; help us to seek You and we will find You. O Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to seek His Face and turn to Him where we will find mercy and healing. 

In honor of our veterans...

Let us reflect and remember all those who have served our country, past and present. Almighty Father, through the powerful intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, we give You thanks for all the veterans who have served and given their lives for our country. O Mary, Queen of Peace, bless and protect them and their families.

"You gave for peace with courage that families may be free so children could grow strong and safe they'd ever be.  In giving for the sake of peace, you may have suffered loss. Your body may still show its wounds from taking up the cause.  May remembrance of your time away, your sacrifice for peace spur us on to strive more strongly for freedom, that there'll be release.  From causes that sent some away to fight that we may freely live with gratefulness we thank you, Veterans, for all you gave and give!" Prayer by Susan Helene Kramer

Blessed Mother Mary, protect our veterans and their families, especially their children. Bring comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones defending our country. We are honored to have you as the Patroness of America because you are the most powerful intercessor.

In tribute to a special Vietnam veteran, Poppy, grandfather of Lily Grace and Norah.

Reflection: Saint Joseph, Protector of the Family

God chose Saint Joseph to be the Head of the Holy Family. Joseph watched over and protected the Child Jesus and Mary while they were on earth. Joseph was a humble man of faith, obedient to whatever God asked of him without knowing the outcome.

When the angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him the truth about the child Mary was carrying, Joseph immediately, without question or concern, took Mary as his wife. When the angel came again to tell him that his family was in danger, he immediately left everything and fled to a strange country with his young wife and baby. He waited in Egypt without question until the angel told him it was safe to go back.

God has given Saint Joseph to us as Protector and Guardian of our families. He is a model of trust. Even when he did not understand, he trusted God completely. Saint Joseph is a model for all fathers and protector of families.

Do you have something that weighs heavily on your heart?
Go to Joseph and ask him to intercede to Jesus for your intention and ask him to help you carry the burden as you wait, in confident trust, knowing that Jesus will answer your prayer in His perfect timing.

Prayer To Saint Joseph
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me from thy Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below thy Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thy arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press him to my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.  Pray for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.

Pray to Saint Joseph and ask him to be the protector of your family. Spend time each day in quiet prayer as he did.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for us pure, humble,and loving minds and hearts. May we always seek God's Divine Will. Be our guide, our father, and our model through life that we may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Reflection: All Souls Day

Today we celebrate All Souls Day. The Holy Souls in purgatory are those who die in God's grace but are still imperfectly purified. In purgatory, they undergo purification so they may attain the holiness they need to enter heaven, to see the Face of God. 

The grace for souls to be cleansed in purgatory comes from God. Purgatory is the place where small sins and attachments are cut. As Pope Francis speaks of the Church as a hospital for the wounded, purgatory is a place where the infection of sin and attachments is removed. 

Our Blessed Mother Mary consoles the souls in purgatory who long to see God. Jesus dictated the Message of Divine Mercy to Saint Faustina. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Divine Mercy Novena, meditate on the Passion of Jesus and pray the Prayer of Saint Gertrude for souls to be released from purgatory.

One of the most important ways we can prepare ourselves for eternal life is to go often to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In confession, Jesus purifies, forgives, heals and pours out His grace so that we will have the strength to sin no more. Isn't it better to be purified on earth than have to spend time being purified in purgatory! Think of the confessional as the hospital and the priest as the Divine Physician, our Savior Jesus. Run to confession. Go often and you will receive Divine Mercy which will help you remain in the state of grace. 

Pray for the souls in purgatory. They need our help. Our prayers can release them into Heaven. May all the Holy Souls through the Mercy of God rest in peace. They may be our mothers and fathers, our relatives and friends. When they are finally released, they become our friends in heaven and they never cease to pray for those who helped them. Their prayers shield and protect us from evil. Pray for the souls in purgatory daily. 

Saint Gertrude was a mystic and lived a cloistered life as a Benedictine nun. She meditated on the Passion of Christ, which many times brought a flood of tears to her eyes. She did many penances and Our Lord appeared to her many times. She had a tender love for the Blessed Virgin and was very devoted to the suffering souls in Purgatory. She died in 1334. Her feast day is November 16th.

Our Lord dictated the following prayer to Saint Gertrude the Great to release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory each time it is said.

Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

Sister Faustina was an uneducated nun in a convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland in the 1930s. She came from a poor family that struggled during the years of World War I. She had only a simple education. She received extraordinary revelations or messages from Jesus who asked her to record these messages into notebooks which are known today as the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. The words inscribed within the Diary are the Message of Divine Mercy. 

From the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:
"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world."

Diary of Saint Faustina 1738 The Lord said to me, Enter into Purgatory often, because they need you there. O my Jesus, I understand the meaning of these words which You are speaking to me, but first let me enter the treasury of Your Mercy. 

O Mary, Mother of God, we offer you our prayers and sufferings to release the Holy Souls in Purgatory though the intercession of Saint Gertrude and Saint Faustina.  May you carry these prayers to Jesus, your Beloved Son.

Purgatory and Mercy + Make a Friend in Heaven

Reflection: All Saints Day

Today we honor all the saints. A saint is a person who reflects the holiness of God by living the virtues in a heroic way and showing boundless love and total faith in God. A saint is a model and example for us to follow.

The Church's calendar contains many saint's days, which Catholics observe at Mass, some with special festivities, but there were thousands and thousands of early Christian martyrs, whose names are known only to God. Throughout the history of the Church, there have been countless others who are saints, who are with God in heaven, but have not been canonized saints. They are the Communion of Saints and they continually intercede for us to the Father. In order to honor the memory of these unnamed saints and to recall their example, the Church dedicated to the saints, a special Feast Day Mass, All Saints Day, to celebrate the lives and witness of those who have died and gone before us into the Presence of the Lord.

The saints are our friends. If you are named after a saint, that saint is your patron, who you can call upon in your need, just as a special friend. If you do not have the name of a saint, choose a saint whose life inspires you and ask that saint to be your patron. Read the lives of the saints. Many had great sufferings but they endured them with faith, hope and love. They kept their eyes fixed on Jesus. They teach us how to do the same. They can help us carry our crosses. Saints walk with us on the journey of our lives and they are ready to intercede for us when we ask. You may feel close to a number of saints, "a great a cloud of witnesses." You have many friends in heaven. Call upon them.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, all the Angels and the Communion of Saints, we call upon you as a great cloud of witnesses to help us each day and to pray for us and all those we pray for.

Reflection: The Angel of Peace

In 1916, one year before the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia. The Angel came to prepare the children for the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917.

During the third apparition, the Angel came in dazzling beauty, holding in his left hand a chalice, and in his right hand over the chalice. Drops of blood were falling from the host into the chalice. Leaving the host and the chalice suspended in mid-air, the angel prostrated himself touching the ground with his forehead. Then the Angel said the following prayer three times:

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you! Angel of Peace 1916

The Angel then rose and took the chalice and host into his hands. He gave the host to Lucia and the contents of the chalice to Jacinta and Francisco, saying: "Take and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, horribly outraged by ungrateful men. Make reparation for their sins and console your God." The Angel taught them to pray this prayer of reparation:

"Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore you profoundly. I offer you the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I pray for the conversion of poor sinners."

Francisco took these words seriously to heart. In the remaining years of his life. when the children were sent to school, he realized that he had a short time to live. He did not have any desire to go to school, but told his sister and cousin to go ahead and he would remain in church where he could make reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is offended. Francisco was penetrated with the Love of what he called "the hidden God," that he often spent many hours on his knees in silent adoration before the tabernacle.

Apostolate of Reparation:
Make of everything you can a sacrifice, and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. You will thus draw down peace upon your country.  Angel of Peace, 1916

The three shepherd children were consumed with zeal to make their lives a sacrifice. Little Francisco and Jacinta died very young and were canonized saints this year. Lucia became a sister and lived until an old age. She is now Blessed Lucia. She was given the mission to tell the world about Our Lady of Fatima and her messages.

Meditation to the "hidden God"
Go to Eucharistic adoration or sit before the tabernacle often. Ask Jesus to grant you the desire to spend time in silent adoration. Ask Jesus to penetrate your heart with His Love that you may be consumed with zeal to offer sacrifices and make reparation for the offenses against Him. As you sit with the Lord, give Him your crosses and sufferings and ask Him to help you carry them. Ask Jesus to give you strength and hope. Then be still and open your heart to receive His Love and Peace  

Our Lady of Fatima, Saint Francisco, Saint Jacinta and Blessed Lucia, pray for us and all those for whom we pray through this ministry.

Reflection: Saint John Paul II, pray for us!

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint John Paul II. Let us pray to him and ponder Mary as he did that we may say to her, Totus Tuus.

"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."  Saint Pope John Paul II

On October 22, 1978, Pope John Paul II began his pontificate with these words:

“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.” 

I was blessed to attend his Canonization on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014. It was a grace more than I could have ever imagined. From the time he became Pope, I always felt a closeness to him. I have come to know him as a personal intercessor for my family. The way it unfolded for me to go to Rome, I believe that he invited me to his Canonization.

When I was in Saint Peter's Square, I took this photo of the image of Mary holding Jesus. After the attempt was made on John Paul's life, he looked around Saint Peter's Square and saw there was no image of Mary. He had this image painted there. Totus Tuus, Totally yours, was the way he lived his life, totally for Mary. She always leads us to her Beloved Son Jesus. I have been thinking about John Paul and how much I love him. I know he is with me. I love his writings on the Gospel of Life, Love, Suffering, the Rosary and the Dignity and Vocation of Women because they draw me into the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

The witness of his life and the words he spoke in his many homilies, speeches, and encyclicals are more relevant today than ever. John Paul II had a powerful influence on the Church and on the world. Today let us pray to Saint John Paul II for all families and for our priests, who were so dear to his heart. So many vocations to the priesthood came through the powerful witness of Pope John Paul II. Let us pray to him for all families and that an abundance of vocations will be nurtured and born in our families. Let us ask him to help us be unafraid and to open wide the doors to Christ for our families and for all those for whom we pray.

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.  Jesus we trust in You.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Today is the feast day of Saint Margaret Mary, who was chosen by Christ to awaken the Church to the of the love of God symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her early years were marked by sickness and a painful home situation. "The heaviest of my crosses was that I could do nothing to lighten the cross my mother was suffering." After considering marriage for some time, Margaret entered the Order of Visitation nuns at the age of 24. A Visitation nun was "not to be extraordinary except by being ordinary," but the young sister was not able to enjoy this anonymity. A fellow novice termed Margaret humble, simple and frank, but above all kind and patient under sharp criticism and correction. She could not meditate in the formal way expected, though she tried her best to give up her "prayer of simplicity."

After being a sister for three years, she received the first of her revelations from Jesus and was filled with the Presence of God, though always afraid of deceiving herself in such matters. Christ requested that His love for humankind be made evident through her. During the next 13 months, He appeared to her at intervals. His human Heart was to be the symbol of his divine-human love. By her own love, she was to make up for the coldness and ingratitude of the world by frequent and loving Holy Communion, especially on the first Friday of each month, and by an hour's vigil of prayer every Thursday night in memory of his agony and isolation in Gethsemane. He also asked that a feast of reparation be instituted.

Like all saints, Margaret suffered for her gift of holiness. Some of her own sisters were hostile to her. Theologians who were called in declared her visions delusions. Later, parents of children she taught called her an impostor, an unorthodox innovator. Claude de la Colombiere, a Jesuit, recognized her genuineness and supported her and he became her confessor. He was canonized by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1992, Against her great resistance, Christ called her to be a sacrificial victim for the shortcomings of her own sisters, and to make this known. After serving as novice mistress and assistant superior, she died when she was 43 years old while being anointed. She said,

"I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the Heart of Jesus."

Christ spoke to Saint Margaret Mary: "Behold this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. In return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrileges, and by the coldness and contempt they have for me in this sacrament of love.... I come into the heart I have given you in order that through your fervor you may atone for the offenses which I have received from lukewarm and slothful hearts that dishonor me in the Blessed Sacrament." (Third apparition)

Around the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a crown of thorns. There is a wound, from the soldier's spear, showing that our sins hurt Him in the Heart. The flames coming from His Heart show the intensity of His Love. Above the flames is a cross showing that His Love for us was so great that He died for us. These are the symbols of His passion. We were redeemed by the cross and we will be saved by it.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.  Saint Margaret Mary, pray for us.

Litany of Humility

A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good.

Humility is a virtue that a person recognizes his or her total dependence on God. It restrains the unruly desire for personal greatness and leads a person to an orderly love and appreciation of self with respect to God and neighbor.

Saint Bernard wrote, "Humility is the foundation and guardian of virtues for without it no other virtue can exist in a soul. Should she possess all virtues, all will depart when humility is gone." Saint Francis de Sales wrote to Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, "God so loves humility, that whenever He sees it, He is immediately drawn thither."

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart, for My yoke is easy and My burden light." Matthew 11:28-30

Mary, the Mother of God, was the first and perfect disciple of Jesus. From her childhood, she practiced the virtue of humility. By imitating her, we can learn how to practice humility and how to follow her Beloved Son Jesus.

Litany of Humility
Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)
Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,

Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided
that I may become as holy as I should…

O Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to imitate Jesus, your Beloved Son.  "Learn from Me, because I am meek and humble of heart."