Reflection: Lord, I am not worthy to have You enter under my roof...

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached Him and appealed to Him, saying, "Lord my servant is lying at home, paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."  Matthew 8:5-8

The centurion had great trust in Jesus. He had hope and trust in Jesus. Jesus was amazed at his faith...

And Jesus said to the centurion, "You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you." And at that very hour, his servant was healed.  Matthew 8:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

How can you have trust and faith like the centurion?

Surrender to the Lord
Die to self
Be open to the Holy Spirit
Call out to God in prayer
Avoid sin and temptations
Put God in the center of your life
Read and meditate on Scripture
Receive the Sacraments frequently
Spend time daily in silence with the Lord

Trust in the Lord and do good...Psalm 37:3

Saint Irenaeus: Mary as the New Eve

Saint Irenaeus was one of the most important Church Fathers of the second century AD. Today we celebrate his feast day. Irenaeus was bishop of Lyons, in Southern France, though may have grown up in Smyrna, which is modern day Turkey. There, he had personal contact with Saint Polycarp, one of the Apostolic Fathers who knew the Apostle John, son of Zebedee. He was a pastor and a missionary. Before becoming bishop, Irenaeus studied in Rome where he was influenced by Saint Justin Martyr.

His major work, Against Heresies, written around the year 185 AD, exposed the Gnostic cults of the day and strongly defended of Catholic Christianity. His writings were a heroic defense of the church and cost him his life. He received the martyr's crown around the year 200. In giving up his life for the Lord, He upheld the truth and always sought unity and peace.

Excerpt from Saint Irenaeus' classic work, Against Heresies. 
"The Lord, coming into his own creation in visible form, was sustained by his own creation which he himself sustains in being. His obedience on the tree of the cross reversed the disobedience at the tree in Eden; the good news of the truth announced by an angel to Mary, a virgin subject to a husband, undid the evil lie that seduced Eve, a virgin espoused to a husband."

"The knot of Eve's disobedience was united by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith...:Death through Eve, life through Mary."  Catechism of the Catholic Church 494

Eve was tempted by a fallen angel, turned away from the Lord and sinned. Mary was visited by Saint Gabriel, the Archangel, and said yes to the Lord. Eve, by her disobedience, brought sin and death to the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, brought salvation and new life to all humanity.

O Mother Mary, you are the New Eve, the Sanctuary of God, the first Tabernacle of Jesus. Pray for us.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Her image is an icon, deeply rich in symbolism and meaning. Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

O Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, I salute thee with the filial devotion. I renew the consecration of myself, and all I have, to thee. I thank thee for thy maternal protection and for the many blessings that I have received through thy wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all my necessities, I have recourse to thee with unbounded confidence, O Help of Christians, O Mother of Mercy, I beseech thee now to hear my prayer and to obtain for me of thy Divine Son the favor that I request: (mention your petition now)

Obtain for me, also dearest Mother of Perpetual Help, the grace that I may imitate thee and become more like to thee in the practice of the virtues of humility, purity, submission to the Will of God, and charity. Be my protectress in life, guard and guide me in dangers, direct me in difficulties, lead me in the way of perfection, and assist me in the hour of my death, that I may come to Jesus, and with thee enjoy Him, bless Him, and love Him eternally in Heaven. Amen.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us!

Reflection: Children around the world in prayer

He called a child over, placed it in their midst and said, "Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Jesus asks us to pray like a child, simple open and trusting. A person who prays like a child, trusts. A person who trusts, prays. Place yourself in the Presence of God, be still and listen.

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

Turn to God.
Trust in God.
Listen to God.
Ask God.
Thank God.

Heavenly Father, help us to be like little children. Help us to see the plans You have for us. Sweet Jesus, stay with us and keep us close to You. Blessed Mother Mary, protect your little ones. Come Holy Spirit! Come through Mary!

Reflection: Our Father who art in heaven...

Today we celebrate Father's Day, a day to honor and remember our fathers, living and deceased. Let us pray to our Father in heaven for all our fathers on earth and for all our beloved priests, our spiritual fathers on earth. 

Jesus taught the disciples to pray the Our Father:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  Matthew 6:8

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2761
"The Lord's Prayer "is truly the summary of the whole gospel." "Since the Lord...after handling over the practice of prayer, said elsewhere, 'Ask and you will receive,' and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the regular and appropriate prayer (the Lord's Prayer) is said first, as the foundation of further desires."

As the Father loves me, so I also love you.  John 15:9

We pray in the Name of our Heavenly Father, and of the Son Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit. Where the Holy Trinity dwells, our Blessed Mother Mary is in the center.

Reflection: Totus Tuus

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. Saint John Paul II

Pray to Our Lady and entrust yourself totally to her. She is your Loving Mother and she stands with you throughout your life. Offer to her your prayers, works, joys, sorrows and sufferings. Mary will never abandon you and she will always lead you to Jesus. Do not be afraid of the sufferings you may endure. Place yourself in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of the Rosary, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation.  Pope John Paul II  Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 40  

The Rosary has great intercessory power. Pray the Rosary daily for the family and for peace.

Prayer for the intercession of Saint John Paul II
O Holy Trinity, we thank You for having given to the Church Saint John Paul II, and for having made him shine with Your fatherly tenderness, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love.  He, trusting in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, has shown himself in the likeness of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and has pointed out to us holiness as the path to reach eternal communion with You.  Grant us, through his intercession, according to Your Will, the grace that we implore... Amen.

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus + World Day for Priests + Annual Global Rosary Relay

Today is the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and it is the World Day for Priests and the Annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests. Saint Pope John Paul II established the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this day, the entire world is encircled in praying the rosary for our beloved priests. Pray the rosary today for all these intentions asking Mary, Mother of Priests, to be a refuge for her beloved sons, keeping them in her Immaculate Heart.

First Friday devotions in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: 
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Act of Reparation, The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Sacrament of Reconciliation 

Promises of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus given by Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque: 
1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."

Saint Thérèse, the Little Flower, Prayer for Priests
‘O Holy Father, may the torrents of love flowing from the sacred wounds of Thy Divine Son bring forth priests like unto the beloved disciple John who stood at the foot of the Cross; priests: who as a pledge of Thine own most tender love will lovingly give Thy Divine Son to the souls of men.

May Thy priests be faithful guardians of Thy Church, as John was of Mary, whom he received into his house. Taught by this loving Mother who suffered so much on Calvary, may they display a mother’s care and thoughtfulness towards Thy children. May they teach souls to enter into close union with Thee through Mary who, as the Gate of Heaven, is specially the guardian of the treasures of Thy Divine Heart.

Give us priests who are on fire, and who are true children of Mary, priests who will give Jesus to souls with the same tenderness and care with which Mary carried the Little Child of Bethlehem.

Mother of sorrows and of love, out of compassion for Thy beloved Son, open in our hearts deep wells of love, so that we may console Him and give Him a generation of priests formed in thy school and having all the tender thoughtfulness of thine own spotless love.’

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.  Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for and protect your beloved sons, our priests.

Today we join with the entire world in praying the Rosary for our beloved priests. Pray the Rosary, unite with your country and help encircle the world in prayer.
Annual Global Rosary Rally for Priests

Anima Christi (Latin for Soul of Christ)

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me.  Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from Christ's side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O Good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the malicious enemy, defend me. In the hour of my death, call me. And bid me come unto Thee. That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels. Forever and ever. Amen.

O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a Fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You. Jesus I trust in You.  From the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Jesus said to His disciples, "As the Father loves Me so I love you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in My love."  John 15:9-10

Anima Christi dates back to the 14th century. The prayer became well known through Saint Ignatius, who used it in his classic work, Spiritual Exercises, in the 16th century. Anima Christ is a prayer to ask the Lord for comfort, strength and guidance.

During Eucharistic Adoration or after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, pray the Anima Christi, and ask Jesus to be with you as He gazes upon you with great love. Meditate on His Passion as you speak to Him from the depths of your heart.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into His side, and immediately Blood and Water flowed out. John 19:33-34

Reflection: Corpus Christi

Today is the Feast Day of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is a time of thanksgiving and adoration for the gift of the Holy Eucharist. It is also a time when our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and carried in procession in a public way, bringing Jesus outside the Church to the rest of the world.

Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of Me." Luke 22:19

The Real Presence of Jesus is a powerful encounter. This weekend, a missionary priest came to my parish to speak at all the Masses about his lifelong work in the missions with the Propagation of the Faith.  He spoke about the importance of "being" present with people, not about "doing" for them. He spoke of how he stayed with the people he was serving in Africa, in good times and bad times, especially in the midst of a conflict, a civil war, when everyone left. The people shared their gratitude for the presence of the missionaries who did not abandon them. We must remember that God will never abandon us and we must not abandon others in need. The priest spoke about being present and witnessing to people about Jesus. He also said he has a sign on his refrigerator, "You are what you eat." The sign is not just about the food we eat that nourishes our bodies, it is about the food from heaven, the Eucharist. Jesus gave Himself to us in the Eucharist to nourish us spiritually, the Bread of Life, food for the journey through life.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.  John 6:51-58

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi evokes beautiful memories for me. My husband and I were on pilgrimage in Lourdes, France, during an annual meeting of altar servers from all over France. We were blessed to witness a Eucharistic procession of priests and seminarians and 2,600 altar servers and their families. It was the most beautiful sight to be in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament during this procession in Lourdes. The world would have you believe the faith is not alive but do not believe the world. The faith is alive and living in all these families in France, as well as throughout the whole world. Lourdes is a place of peace where the presence of Our Lady is felt and where families come from all over the world to know her and to know the peace that comes from Jesus in the Eucharist.

I have said these things to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Pope Francis on the Feast of Corpus Christi 
While on Holy Thursday, we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, today is for giving thanks and adoration. And in fact, there is a traditional procession with the Most Holy Sacrament on this day. To adore Eucharistic Jesus and to walk with Him. These are two inseparable aspects of today's feast, two aspects that characterize the entire life of the Christian people: a people who adore God and a people who walk: who do not stand still, who journey!

As you prepare receive the Bread from Heaven this day, ask the Lord to come into your heart in a new way. Ask Him for an encounter with the living God that you may be changed by this encounter and that this encounter will lead you on a journey, walking with the living God and inviting others to walk with you.

For we are members of His Body, of His flesh and of His bones. Ephesians 5:30

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine.