The Angelus

The word Angelus means Angel. It is a prayer coming from the Bible calling to mind the Incarnation of Jesus. Luke 1:26-38 “The angel of the Lord announced unto Mary.” In Latin it is “Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.” The naming of the prayer and ring of the bell is called Angelus.

In the development of the custom of three rings of the Angelus, the first development was to ring the Angelus at the evening. This ringing was focused on the Incarnation of Jesus which happened in the evening. Later the custom developed to ring the Angelus also in the morning. Here the focus was on Jesus’ resurrection which happened in the morning. As time continued, a third ringing at noon was added. This third ringing was focused on Jesus’ death which happened around noon. During the year the Angelus is said. During Easter time the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven) is said.

O Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us and for all the names we receive through this prayer ministry.

Reflection: The Sacrament of Reconciliation...Eyelash to eyelash with God

I had the blessing to hear a reflection by Ryan, a seminarian.  One thing that touched me deeply is what he said about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  He said that one of his professors spoke of Reconciliation as being,

"Eyelash to eyelash with God."

Imagine being eyelash to eyelash with God!  He loves us so much and He desires that intimate encounter with us. Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation because he wants us to to see eye to eye with God.

The word reconciliation has three main parts: “re”, “con”, and “cilia."   Re means again and con means with. The last part is cilia.  Cilia are tiny hair-like structures that protrude from tiny cells and help them move around.  “Cilia” is the Latin word for eyelash.

What do eyelashes have to do with reconciliation?  Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation because He wants us to see eye to eye again with God.  People often avoid confession or walk into confession embarrassed and ashamed of their sins.  God gave us cilia too.  Our eyelashes are like cilia, little hair-like things on cells that help them move.  When we go to reconCILIAtion, we come back to God.  It is an eyelash to eyelash encounter with Jesus.  He hears and forgives our sins.  He makes us new again by pouring out sanctifying grace upon us.  He tells us to sin no more. He showers us with His Divine Mercy.

A beautiful way to go to confession is to ask our Blessed Mother Mary to accompany you.  She wraps her mantle of love around you and she helps you to be "eyelash to eyelash with God."  The season of Lent is a time to turn back to the Lord.  God desires us to be reconciled with Him.  He wants an intimate encounter with us and He is willing to wipe away all our sins in order to be with us.  Go to confession...Run to confession...If you have not been for a while, the priest will help you.  Jesus is waiting to embrace You...

Saint Joseph

"Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families."  Blessed John Paul II

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary and patron of the universal Church and the patron saint of fathers, families, those in need, workers, travelers, the persecuted, the poor, the aged and the dying. The discretion with which Joseph carried out the role entrusted to him by God highlights his faith even more, which consisted in always listening to the Lord, seeking to understand His Will and to obey it with his whole heart and strength. This is why the Gospel describes him as a "just" man Matthew 1, 19. In fact, the just man is the person who prays, lives by faith, and seeks to do good in every concrete circumstance of life.

Saint Joseph and fathers
Faith nourished by prayer: this is the most precious treasure that Saint Joseph transmits to us. Generations of fathers have followed in his footsteps who, with the example of a simple and laborious life, imprinted on their children's souls the inestimable value of faith. He is a model for fathers to live their mission in the family and society in an exemplary way.

According to ancient tradition, Saint Joseph watches over and protects the Church. He is considered the model of perfect Christian life and the patron of a happy death. His patronage extends over the Mystical Body of Christ, over the Christian family and schools, carpenters, fathers, laborers, and all individuals who appeal to his charity and intercession, especially in the hour of death. Joseph, when dying, received the loving ministry of his foster Son, Jesus, and his spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary, so it is believed that his intercession may well obtain the mercy of God and the grace of a peaceful and holy death.

As the Bible tells us, Saint Joseph was descended from the royal house of David. A village carpenter of Nazareth, he was chosen among all men to be the husband and protector of the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ. To his loving care was entrusted the childhood and youth of the Redeemer of the world. He reveals to us the perfect model of Christianity through his purity of heart, patience, and fortitude. Poor in worldly possessions, he was rich in grace.

Parent's Prayer to Saint Joseph
O glorious Saint Joseph, to you God committed the care of His only begotten Son amid the many dangers of this world. We come to you and ask you to take under your special protection the children God has given us. Through holy baptism they became children of God and members of His holy Church. We consecrate them to you today, that through this consecration they may become your foster children. Guard them, guide their steps in life, form their hearts after the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Diary of Saint Faustina 1203
"Saint Joseph urged me to have a constant devotion to him. He himself told me to recite three prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be) and the Memorare once a day. He looked at me with great kindness and gave me to know how much he is supporting this work (of mercy). He has promised me this special help and protection. I recited the requested prayers every day and felt his special protection."

The memorare is a prayer that is said by the whole Congregation of Saint Faustina's religious community.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most pure spouse of Mary, and my dearly beloved guardian, St. Joseph, that never was it known that anyone who invoked your care and requested your help was left without consolation.

Inspired with this confidence, I come to you, and with all the ardor of my spirit I commend myself to you. Do not reject my prayer, O Foster Father of the Savior, but graciously receive and answer it. Amen.

Saint Joseph, intercede for us and for all these babies, little ones and their families.

The Transfiguration

Jesus was preparing  the apostles for the trauma they would suffer through and the horror of His crucifixion.  To give them hope, Jesus brought them to the mountaintop and appeared to them in a vision.  On Mount Tabor, He appeared as He really would be in His risen glory.  

Jesus was transfigured before them; His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light.  Matthew 17:2

Jesus appeared to them as the Light of the World in dazzling white.   On either side of Him, Moses and Elijah appeared.  The Father’s voice spoke that this was His Beloved Son in whom He was well pleased.  The Holy Spirit appeared as a cloud of glory.  The Transfiguration was an experience that did not last forever.  It was not given to them so they could erect tents and stay there.  Jesus gave them this experience to build up their hope so that they would be sustained for the sufferings to come.  The path called the Via Dolorosa lay before Him and before them, as well.  The Transfiguration was to show them that the Way of the Cross was not a road to death but a road through death to a new life.  

Jesus, may our hearts remain faithful to You, and may You begin Your transforming work in us. Keep us mindful that with You Lord, nothing is impossible and without You, we can do nothing. Glory be to You, Lord, forever and ever.  Blessed Mother Mary, our comfort and refuge, and help us walk the Way of the Cross by your side.  Amen.

Reflection: O Come let us adore Him...

Have you ever entered an adoration chapel?  There is a peace that surpasses all understanding.  In my parish, there is a sacred place, Saint Joseph Chapel, where many hours of Eucharistic Adoration are offered. What you notice when you enter the chapel during adoration is Love.  Jesus, in the Eucharist, is on the altar. He is Love.  If you could see what is happening mystically, you would see our Blessed Mother Mary and angels all around Jesus.  You would see rays of love and grace coming from the Eucharist entering the hearts of all who come to visit Him.  

When Jesus is on the altar during adoration, out of reverence, He can not be left alone.  People sign up to come and sit with Him for an hour or more.  These people are called adorers because they come and adore the Lord.  I have noticed something about the adorers.  There is great love between them.  They may not even know one another, but they smile, hug and wave hello and goodbye. This is all done in the sacred silence of adoration.  

As each hour passes, one group of adorers comes and another leaves.  Watching the adorers makes me think about a relay race.  Each runner carries a baton and passes it on the the next runner.  With precision, they pass the baton and the team works together.  This is what happens in adoration.  Hour by hour, adorers sit with Jesus.  What a beautiful team for Jesus!

In Saint Joseph Chapel during every hour of Eucharistic adoration, the adorers pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the Sick and Dying and for the Unborn.  The chaplet is prayed on rosary beads.  Many rosaries are also offered for these intentions.  The beads on the chain of the rosary are like the adorers.  They come to the chapel, bead by bead, and they are linked together into a beautiful chain.  The angels carry these prayers to the altar and lift them up to the Lord like incense rising to the heavens.  Blessed John Paul II called the rosary the sweet chain linking us to God.

Jesus is calling you to come to Eucharistic Adoration.  Come and offer a Chaplet of Divine Mercy or a Rosary.  Come sit in the silence.  It is in the silence that Jesus will speak to you.  Come away and rest awhile...