Our Lady holding Jesus as He accepts flowers from the shepherd child

Our Lady holding Jesus as He accepts flowers from the shepherd child

Welcome to our intercessory prayer ministry for families, babies, little ones and those who love them.

In our prayers for families, we pray for the sanctity of all life and for vocations to marriage, the priesthood and consecrated life, which are born and nurtured in families.

The
Prayer of Entrustment to Mary was prayed for this ministry at the icon of the Madonna Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People, Our Lady of Good Health) in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Mary Major) in Rome, Italy, in Nossa Senhora do Rosario da Fatima (Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary) in Fatima, Portugal, in Eglise du Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart Parish Church), the site of St. Bernadette's baptismal font, in Lourdes, France and at The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents before Our Lady of Guadalupe and at Basilica Papale de San Pietro in Vaticano (St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City) at the Tomb of St. John Paul II in Rome, Italy and at the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe) in Mexico City, Mexico.

This ministry is consecrated to Jesus Christ, Wisdom Incarnate, through the hands of Mary and dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. In our prayers to Mary, we honor and worship her Son Jesus. When He was on the Cross, He gave His Mother to John and she became our Mother as well. "Behold, your Mother." John 19:27

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
For the greater glory of God

September 30, 2011

Word of God

"Love the Holy Scripture, and wisdom will love you. Love wisdom, and she will keep you safe. God's words are God's wisdom. God's love is God's words. God's wisdom is His loving words."
Words of Saint Jerome, the fiery and furious, lover of God's Word



Today is the Feast Day of Saint Jerome. He was a man of science who realized his main mission was to become holy. He used his holiness to translate the Bible. Saint Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5

Saint Jerome made a tremendous contribution and influence to the development of Marian tradition within the Western Christianity. He affirms Mary's perpetual virginity. Her virginity is firmly based on Scripture. Those who are ignorant of Scripture are ignorant of the Mother of God. He vehemently challenged anyone to deny this obvious fact. He used most of the prophets, the Psalms and the Song of Songs to praise Mary bountifully. The value, reverence and respect for the Word of God and its translation possessed Jerome. This was his life-long pursuit, joy and calling. He found God's glory in all of its expression and he expressed it with his whole heart and mind.

It was said that he removed a thorn from a lion's paw and the lion remained with him ever after. Those who scoff at such a possibility know little of the power of God or prayer. God works such abundant miracles for his loved ones that it is impossible to enumerate them and the ones that seemed farfetched become most credible with the enlightenment of his Spirit. If Jesus walked on water, fasted for forty days, raised Lazarus from the dead and promised us the same power, then it is quite easy to believe the lion incident in the story of Saint Jerome.

The Catholic Church has always insisted on guarding the translations of the Bible as the highest priority. For that reason, Saint Jerome is the Doctor of Biblical Science because of his painstaking care in expressing the meaning and accuracy of God's word.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

O Mary, the Word made flesh dwelt within you. We ask for your powerful intercession to Jesus for all the intentions we receive.

September 27, 2011

Our Mother of Perpetual Help



In this novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we pay tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary in asking for her assistance. This picture of the Blessed Mother with her Divine Son above has helped her provide strength, comfort and even miracles to the faithful for centuries!

Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you. Then pray three Hail Marys.

First placed in the Church of San Matteo in Rome in 1499, the picture was thought to be lost at one point after Napoleon’s armies sacked that church in 1798. Fortunately, however, it was in the care of the Augustinian fathers until Pope Pius IX ordered that the icon be given to the Redemptorist order at the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome in 1866 for public viewing once again. Since then it has been copied and venerated in churches and homes all over the world.

Note in this picture how Jesus, while safely cradled in his mother’s arms, looks anxiously at St. Gabriel the Archangel, who holds the cross and nails for His Crucifixion. (St. Michael the Archangel, at left, holds the lance, spear, and the vessel of vinegar and gall for our Lord's Passion as well.) The Blessed Mother looks at us solemnly, perhaps as if in contemplation of her beloved Son’s future Passion and death for our salvation!

Remember that when we pray this novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help, that we are not choosing to worship her over her Divine Son. She is "our Mother on the order of grace,” according to a Vatican II document, and all the graces Mary gives us come directly from our Lord. She is always ready to intercede with Him on our behalf, but never for anything contrary to His wishes.

As long as we approach her as we do Him, with sincerely humble and contrite hearts, we can count on her aid and guidance. Mary’s last spoken words in the Gospels concerned her Son when she said at the wedding feast at Cana “Do whatever he tells You.” John 2:5 If we persevere in our intentions to do Christ’s will for us, we are doing hers as well.

O Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

September 24, 2011

Mary speaks

O you who bear the pain of the whole earth, I bore you.
You, who, when your hem is touched, give power, I nourished you.
Who turns the day to night in this dark hour, light comes from you.
O you who hold the world in your embrace, I carried you.
Whose arm encircled the world with your grace, I once held you.
O you who laughed and ate and walked the shore, I played with you.
And I, who with all others, you died for, now I hold you.

May I be faithful to this final test:
In this last time I hold my child, my son,
His body close enfolded to my breast,
The holder held: the bearer borne.
Mourning to joy: darkness to morn.
Open, my arms: your work is done.
Madeleine L’Engle









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

September 23, 2011

Saint Padre Pio
















Today is the Feast of Saint Padre Pio. From his childhood, it was evident that he was a special child of God. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the habit in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio.

On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of Church. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Upon his death in 1968, the wounds were no longer visible. In fact, there was no scaring and the skin was completely renewed. He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio.

The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers, and the gift of bilocation was attributed to him. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God. He would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. Padre Pio devoted his life to the Eucharist and prayer.

Words of Padre Pio about Our Blessed Mother

"Hold on tightly to the Rosary. Be very grateful to the Madonna because it was she who gave us Jesus. Love Our Lady and make her loved; always recite the Rosary and recite it as often as possible."

"May the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother, obtain for us from her Son the grace to live a life according to the heart of God, a life that is entirely interior and hidden in Him. Give yourself up into the arms of your Heavenly Mother. She will take good care of your soul."

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us and for all the names we receive through this baby prayer ministry.

September 20, 2011

A Mother's Love



Saint Bernard sums up the great spiritual advantage
of true devotion to our Blessed Mother.

"By following her, you will not go astray.
By praying to her you will not despair.
By thinking of her you will not make a mistake.
Supported by her, you will not fail.
Under her protection, you will no longer be afraid.
Guided by her, you will never grow weary.
Having her benevolence, you are assured of salvation."

On earth, the Blessed Virgin offered her life in that obedient service which is true worship of God. In heaven, she leads the song of eternal praise which rises like incense before the throne of God.

Let us imitate Mary and ponder everything in our heart.

September 15, 2011

Our Lady of Sorrows



The title Our Lady of Sorrows focuses on Mary's intense suffering during the passion and death of Christ. The Seven Dolors, the title by which it was celebrated in the 17th century, referred to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary. Today is the Feast Day, an octave after the birthday of Our Lady on September 8th. This feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of Mary, Mother of God, and her compassion with the sufferings of her Divine Son, Jesus. In her suffering as co-redeemer, she reminds us of the tremendous evil of sin and shows us the way of true repentance. May the numerous tears of the Mother of God be conducive to our salvation; with which tears, O God, are able to wash away the sins of the whole world. As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung, the sword of sorrow Simeon had foretold pierced her soul.

The seven sorrows of Mary
1. The prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days
4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross
7. The burial of Jesus

Stabat Mater
At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

September 12, 2011

The Holy Name of Mary

In accordance with Jewish custom, Our Lady's parents named her eight days after her birth, and were inspired to call her Mary. The Hebrew name of Mary (in Latin Domina) means lady or sovereign; 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. When we pronounce her name, we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection.

Today is dedicated to the Holy Name of Mary. Let us repeat that wonderful prayer of Saint Bernard, responding to Pope Benedict XVI 's invitation to invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did. Saint Bernard says, and we say with him, "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."



Blessed be the Holy Name of Mary. O Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us and all those for whom we pray.

September 05, 2011

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta


At the age of eighteen, moved by a desire to become a missionary, Gonxha Agnes left her home in 1928 to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Sisters of Loreto, in Ireland. There she received the name Sister Mary Teresa after St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In December, she departed for India, arriving in Calcutta in January 1929. After making her First Profession of Vows in May 1931, Sister Teresa was assigned to the Loreto Entally community in Calcutta and taught at Saint Mary’s School for girls. Sister Teresa made her Final Profession of Vows in 1937, becoming, Mother Teresa, the “spouse of Jesus” for “all eternity.”

Today is the anniversary of her death. A person of profound prayer and deep love for her religious sisters and her students, Mother Teresa’s twenty years in Loreto were filled with profound happiness. Noted for her charity, unselfishness and courage, her capacity for hard work and a natural talent for organization, she lived out her consecration to Jesus, in the midst of her companions, with fidelity and joy.

In September 1946 during the train ride from Calcutta to Darjeeling for her annual retreat, Mother Teresa received her “inspiration,” her “call within a call.” On that day, in a way she would never explain, Jesus’ thirst for love and for souls took hold of her heart and the desire to satiate His thirst became the driving force of her life. Over the course of the next weeks and months, by means of interior locutions and visions, Jesus revealed to her the desire of His heart for “victims of love” who would “radiate His love on souls.”

“Come be My light,” He begged her. “I cannot go alone.” He revealed His pain at the neglect of the poor, His sorrow at their ignorance of Him and His longing for their love. He asked Mother Teresa to establish a religious community, Missionaries of Charity, dedicated to the service of the poorest of the poor. Nearly two years of testing and discernment passed before Mother Teresa received permission to begin. In August 1948, she dressed for the first time in a white, blue-bordered sari and passed through the gates of her beloved Loreto convent to enter the world of the poor.

She renounced everything for Jesus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She looked pro-choice politicians in the eye and told them that abortion was murder. She passed out prayer holy cards at the United Nations and got ambassadors praying in the UN general assembly room. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta exemplifies the uncompromising loyalty to Jesus.

The work was exhausting, but she was not alone for long. Volunteers who came to join her in the work, some of them former students, became the core of the Missionaries of Charity. Other helped by donating food, clothing, supplies, the use of buildings. In 1952 the city of Calcutta gave Mother Teresa a former hostel, which became a home for the dying and the destitute. As the Order expanded, services were also offered to orphans, abandoned children, alcoholics, the aging and street people.

For the next four decades Mother Teresa worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor. Her love knew no bounds. Nor did her energy, as she crisscrossed the globe pleading for support and inviting others to see the face of Jesus in the poorest of the poor. In 1979 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On September 5, 1997, God called her home.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor, was beatified October 19, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, the Order she founded in 1950 as a diocesan religious community. Today the congregation also includes contemplative sisters and brothers and an order of priests.

Blessed Mother Teresa's beatification, just over six years after her death, was part of an expedited process put into effect by Pope John Paul II. Like so many others around the world, he found her love for the Eucharist, for prayer and for the poor a model for all to emulate.

Speaking in a strained, weary voice at the beatification Mass, Pope John Paul II declared her blessed, prompting waves of applause before the 300,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. In his homily, read by an aide for the aging pope, the Holy Father called Mother Teresa “one of the most relevant personalities of our age” and “an icon of the Good Samaritan.” Her life, he said, was “a bold proclamation of the gospel.”

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta

My pastor knew Mother Teresa and he was blessed to meet with her privately. Her words to him,

"Be only all for Jesus through Mary."

When she died, Mother Teresa owned nothing but her rosary beads and her distinctive white-and-blue sari. She did so much to serve so many others and had such a great influence on the world. She took a vow of poverty and became wealthy in the ways that really matter. She abandoned the world. Her life is a confirmation of the Gospel promise, The meek inherit the earth.

What was the secret of this powerful little woman? It was her purity, the purity of heart and of purpose that enabled her to focus every ounce of her energy on her simple and unswerving purpose in life: to do, to make, to be something beautiful for God.

Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us and all those for whom we pray through this ministry.

September 01, 2011

The Body of Christ

We are One Body.



Baptism, an indelible spiritual mark . . .

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
1272 Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

1275 Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.

1276 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

1277 Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

1278 The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

1279 The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.

How beautiful to be a member of the Body of Christ!