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

October 30, 2016

9 Day Novena for the U.S. Election

Beginning today, let us pray the Novena for the U.S. election.  If you feel called to do more, include fasting and the rosary in your novena prayers. Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States of America, turn the culture of death into a culture of life and bring an end to the killing of the innocent unborn  Through your intercession, may God bless our families, our homes and our nation.

"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."  Saint Pope John Paul II

Novena of Truth - Prayers for the U.S. Election

October 27, 2016

Reflection: Angel of Peace

Our Blessed Mother Mary was the first tabernacle for Jesus. She is Our Lady of the Eucharist. May we meet Jesus by receiving Him in the Eucharist and adoring Him in Eucharistic adoration. Jesus nourishes and heals us in the Eucharist.

Morning Offering:
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

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

Oh my Jesus, I accept and bear with submission whatever suffering God will send me today, for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady of Fatima, July 13, 1917

Our Lady of Fatima said we must pray these prayers daily for the conversion of souls and for those who do not believe. This will lead to peace in our world and in our hearts.

Mary brings all the pilgrims to the foot of the altar at her Shrines where they may gain great graces from her Divine Son. In Fatima and many great Marian sanctuaries, there are large processions in which the Eucharist is carried, and in which a bishop or priest blesses the sick. On these occasions tremendous miraculous cures are brought about, both physical and spiritual. Tens of thousands of cures have taken place over the years.

At Fatima, an Angel of Peace came first to Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia in 1916. The angel prepared the way for the later apparitions of Mary Immaculate. When he appeared the third time in dazzling beauty before the three seers, he held in his left hand a chalice, and in his right over the chalice, a host form which drops of blood could be seen falling into the chalice. Leaving the host and the chalice suspended in mid-air, he prostrated himself touching the ground with his forehead. Then the angel said the following prayer three times:

"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."

The Angel then rose and took the chalice and host into his hands. He communicated the host to Lucy, the contents of the chalice he gave 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."  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 but 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 so 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.

Meditation:
Pray to Francisco that Jesus will penetrate your heart with His Love and that He will grant you the desire to spend time in silent adoration before the "hidden God" in Eucharistic Adoration or before the tabernacle. Bring your crosses and sufferings to Jesus as you sit with Him in adoration and ask Him to help you carry your cross. Ask Him to be your strength and your hope. Be still and listen to Him speak as He penetrates your heart with His Love and Peace.   

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us and all those for whom we pray through this ministry.

October 17, 2016

The Memorare Prayer

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote of the great spiritual advantage of true devotion to our Blessed Mother, inviting us to become her trusting children. He wrote this beautiful prayer:

"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."

Mary, Our Mother, understands our sufferings and hurts. Let us ask for her intercession to Jesus. Her heart was pierced when she heard Simeon's words, as she held her precious baby. She did not understand, but she kept all these things in her heart. Let us unite our sufferings and those of our children and those for whom we pray with Mary.

Mary was petitioned as "Mother of God" at least by the 3rd Century, as is evidenced by the discovery of the Sub Tuum prayer:

This prayer, known in Latin as "Sub tuum Praesidium" and first found in a Greek papyrus, c. 300, is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin.

We turn to you for protection, Holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in all our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin.

The "Memorare" is a sixteenth-century version of a fifteenth-century prayer that began "Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria." Claude Bernard (1588-1641) popularized the idea and wrote the "Memorare".

Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you do I come before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

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, ponder everything in our heart and turn to her in all our needs.

October 16, 2016

Saint Louis and Saint Zelie, pray for us...

One year ago this month, Pope Francis canonized Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, They were married in 1858. Louis designed a marriage medallion for Zelie with the Biblical pictures of Sarah and Tobias on one side with the date on the other side and the initials of their names. symbolizing the coming together of two families. Marriage Medallion of Louis and Zelie

Their marriage was one of love, as well as suffering. They are models of holiness and the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage. As saints, they are powerful intercessors for the fidelity and faith of married love of a man and woman who were open to children and the gift of life. They had nine children, five of whom entered religious life. They lost four children at a young age. Their desire to have many children was not for themselves but for the Glory of God. Louis and Zelie did not want to be canonized. They wanted, in their daily lives, to become saints. They shared this desire with their children, friends and in their professions. The mission of their lives was to serve God. They lived modestly, helped the poor and needy and led daily prayers in their home. Zelie died of breast cancer at the age of 45 and Louis suffered greatly and had a three year stay in a psychiatric hospital. Louis and Zelie were devoted to a life of family and prayer.

How can you serve God? 

Pray for life and marriage and for the protection of religious liberty.

Educate ourselves on what the Church teaches and why and about the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage and family life.

Be prepared to speak the truth and act with love and remain firm in our beliefs.

Be merciful. During this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, we remember that God is love and that He sent His Beloved Son Jesus to bring Mercy to the world.

Never give up hope. We are a people of prayer and we know the power of prayer.

Let us ask the parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux to be our intercessors for marriage and families.

Saint Therese, the Little Flower, pray for us. Saints Louis and Zelie, pray for us.

October 13, 2016

Our Lady of Fatima: I am the Lady of the Rosary


The Miracle of the Sun

The Blessed Mother appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima from May to October, 1917. The news of Fatima spread more, and people learned that a miracle was to happen. The children began to speak of the miracle which was to happen. On October 13, 1917, seventy to one hundred thousand pilgrims came to the Cova da Iria. It was pouring down rain and everything was very muddy.

The children's families were very uncertain and feared that if the miracle did not take place, the people would want to kill the three children. Once there, moved by an interior impulse, one of the children, Lucia, asked the people to shut their umbrellas and pray a Rosary. Soon after that, there was a flash of light, and Our Lady appeared above the oak tree.

"What do you want of me?" asked Lucia.

"I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honor.

I am the Lady of the Rosary.

Continue always to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes."

Lucia said: "I have many things to ask you: the cure of some sick persons, the conversion of sinners, and other things . . . "

"Some yes, but not others. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins." Looking very sad, Our Lady said: "Do not offend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended."

Then, opening her hands, she made them reflect onto the sun, and as she ascended, the reflection of her own light continued to be projected on the sun itself.

Lucia cried out to the people to look at the sun. Her aim was not to call their attention to the sun, because she was not even aware of their presence. She was moved to do so under the guidance of an interior impulse.

After Our Lady had disappeared into the distance, Saint Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus and Our Lady was robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus appeared to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands. When this apparition disappeared, Our Lord and Our Lady appeared; it seemed that it was Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lord appeared to bless the world in the same manner as Saint Joseph had done. This apparition also vanished, and Our Lady appeared once more, this time resembling Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, holding the child Jesus in one hand and the brown scapular in the other hand.

The rain stopped and a thick mass of clouds broke. The sun looked like a disc of dull silver, and began dancing wildly. The people shouted out: "MIRACLE!" It seems that the majority of the people saw the sun trembling and dancing, whirling around; it descended almost low enough to burn the earth with its rays. It shone with an intensity never before seen, but was not blinding. This lasted only an instant. Then the immense ball began to "dance". The sun began to spin rapidly like a gigantic circle of fire. Then it stopped momentarily, only to begin spinning again. Its rim became scarlet; whirling, it scattered red flames across the sky. Their light was reflected on the ground, on the trees, on the bushes, and on the very faces and clothing of the people, which took on brilliant hues and changing colors.

After performing a zigzag bizarre pattern three times, the globe of fire seemed to tremble, shake, and then plunge in a zigzag toward the terrified crowd. All this lasted about ten minutes. Finally, the sun zigzagged back to its original place and once again became still and brilliant, shining with its everyday brightness. The cycle of the apparitions had ended. Many people noticed that their clothes, soaking wet from the rain, had suddenly dried. The miracle of the sun was also seen by numerous witnesses up to twenty-five miles away from the place of the apparition. Many thought the end of the world had come, as the sun seemed to fall upon them. People reported color changes in objects on earth, caused by the rays of the sun. Some expressed sorrow for their sins aloud. Some who had come to ridicule the children now believed.

This was the great Miracle of the Sun which Our Lady had performed so that all may believe.

Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Rosary, this prayer ministry is consecrated and entrusted to Jesus through you. Pray for us and all those for whom we pray.

October 08, 2016

Reflection: Be not afraid...

When we look around us, there is so much beauty in this world. God our Loving Father is the Creator of everything. He created the heavens and the earth and He created you and me.

"For by Him, all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16 

Amidst all the beauty in the world, there is much darkness. Sin entered the world. We see war between nations and people, war on the unborn, the elderly, the disabled and marginalized. We see terrorism, political unrest, injustice, genocide, hatred, prejudice, disrespect and harsh language.

Be not afraid.

We can not focus on the darkness. Jesus is the light. Keep your eyes fixed on Him.

"All things came to be through Him, and without Him, nothing came to be. What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race, the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:3-5

A baby growing in the womb of a mother is a miracle and the most beautiful gift from God. In order to grow, the baby receives nutrition from the mother through the umbilical cord. Mother and child attached through a cord...

How do we stay attached to Jesus?

We stay close to Jesus by receiving the Sacraments frequently, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

We feed our minds and hearts by reading the Scriptures and spending time in prayer daily. Praying in Eucharistic Adoration, we are truly in the Presence of Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Praying the Rosary daily keeps us close to Jesus and Mary as we contemplate the mysteries of their lives.

"Do not fear, I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Be not afraid.

Whatever you are afraid of, bring it to Jesus and Mary as you pray the Rosary. Pray for peace in the world, for the conversion of sinners, for an end to abortion, the greatest destroyer of peace. Pray for the conversion of leaders to protect life from the beginning to the end. Pray for healing in your family and in all families. Pray for an end of terrorism. Pray, pray, pray...

Do not be afraid of the things you see happening all around you. Keep yourself and your loved ones attached to Jesus and Mary through the Sacraments and the Rosary. These are your weapons against the turmoil of the world. When we turn to Mary, she brings all our fears and concerns to Jesus.

"Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

October 07, 2016

Our Lady of the Rosary

This prayer ministry is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, entrusted and consecrated to her.  Today is her Feast Day.  The month of October is dedicated to the "Most Holy Rosary."

O Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain that unites us to God, bond of love which unites us to the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults of Hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we will never abandon you.  You will be out comfort in the hour of death: yours our final kiss as life ebbs away.  And the last word from out lips will be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rosary of Pompei, O Dearest Mother, O Refuge of Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted, may you be everywhere blessed, today and always, on heaven and on earth. 
Apostolic Letter on the Rosary, Saint Pope John Paul II 

Miracle of the rosary
On Sunday, October 7, 1571, the Christian and Turkish fleets met in Lepanto Gulf, off the coast of Greece. The bitter battle finished with a brilliant victory of the Christians who where vastly outnumbered. That very evening Pope Saint Pius V had at Rome a clear knowledge of this success. The same afternoon, the Confraternities of the Rosary, particularly in Rome, had marched through the streets in procession reciting the Rosary. This victory put an end to the naval power of the Turks and saved Christian Europe. To this day this victory has been attributed to the praying of the Rosary.

The Power of the Rosary

The most holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or, above all, spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world, or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the holy Rosary. With the holy Rosary, we will save ourselves; we will sanctify ourselves; we will console our Lord, and obtain the salvation of many souls. Conversation between Sr. Lucy of Fatima and Fr. Fuentes, Dec. 26, 1957

"The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors."  Pope Pius XI


"Among all the devotions approved by the Church, none has been so favored by so many miracles as the Rosary devotion." Pope Pius IX


"The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying." Pope Leo XIII


"The rosary is a magnificant gift of God to humanity because through this prayer, we attain extraordinary graces. With the rosary in your hand, you will not be discouraged and you will have clarity of mind and extraordinary freedom in your heart." Mother Elvira Petrozzi, Foundress of the Cenacolo Community in Medjugorje, with fifty-six houses in fifteen countries, welcoming the lost and desperate.
 

Our Lady of the Rosary, we entrust to you all the names we receive through this prayer ministry. Keep them under your protective mantle and always in your loving care.

October 05, 2016

Saint Faustina, pray for us...

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Faustina. She is closely connected to this ministry of intercessory prayer offering hope and healing. The writings in her Diary help us to pray and draw us closer to Jesus and His Divine Mercy. 

“Neither graces, nor revelations, nor raptures, nor gifts granted to a soul make it perfect, but rather the intimate union of the soul with God. These gifts are merely ornaments of the soul, but constitute neither its essence nor its perfection. My sanctity and perfection consist in the close union of my will with the will of God.”  Diary of Saint Faustina 1107

Sister Maria Faustina died of tuberculosis in Krakow, Poland, on October 5, 1938. Saint Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1993 and canonized her in the year 2000. Her name will always be linked to the Feast of the Divine Mercy, celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Divine Mercy prayer recited each day by so many people at 3 o'clock, Mercy Hour.

"At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion."  Diary of Saint Faustina 1320

When Saint Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina in 2000, he called her the "first saint of the new millennium."  Speaking of her and the importance of the messages in her Diary, the Pope called her "the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time."

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

At the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, this prayer is included at the 3 o'clock hour:

Saint Faustina, you told us that your mission would continue after your death and that you would not forget us.  Our Lord also granted you a great privilege, telling you to "distribute graces as you will, to who you will, and when you will."  Relying on this, we ask your intercession for the graces we need, especially for the intentions received through this ministry.  Help us, above all, to trust in Jesus as you did and thus to glorify His mercy every moment of our lives.  Amen.

Jesus, we trust in You. Saint Maria Faustina, pray for us.

October 04, 2016

Saint Francis of Assisi

Today is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was a poor man who inspired the Church by following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit. Serious illness and prayer led him to a self-emptying, like that of Christ. He met a leper on the road. It symbolized his complete obedience to what he had heard in prayer:

"Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh, it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know My Will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy."

From the cross in the neglected field-chapel of San Damiano, Christ told him,

"Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down."

Francis became the totally poor and humble workman. He gave up every material thing he had, piling even his clothes before his earthly father, who was demanding restitution for Francis' "gifts" to the poor, so that he would be totally free to say, "Our Father in heaven." He believed what Jesus said: "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff." Luke 9:1-3

During the last years of his short life, he was half blind and seriously ill. Two years before his death, he received the stigmata, the painful wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. How did Francis respond to blindness and suffering? It was during his suffering that he wrote the beautiful Canticle of the Sun praising God for creation. Francis never recovered from this illness. He died at the age of 45. He is the founder of all Franciscan orders and the patron saint of ecologists and merchants. On his deathbed, he said over and over again the last addition to his Canticle of the Sun, "Be praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death."

The Canticle of the Sun
by Saint Francis of Assisi
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

Saint Francis was a witness of a life of faithfulness, of poverty, of humility and of simplicity. May we follow in his footsteps and develop these virtues so that we may grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus and Mary.



October 02, 2016

Reflection: Guardian angels...

Today we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels. Every person on earth has a guardian angel who watches over him at the moment of birth. Prior to birth, the child is protected by the mother's guardian angel. The protection of our guardian angel continues throughout our whole life until the moment of death. Our guardian angel accompanies the soul to purgatory or heaven, and becomes our coheir in the heavenly kingdom.

Guardian Angels are servants and messengers from God. "Angel" in Greek means messenger. In unseen ways, the angels help us on our earthly pilgrimage by assisting us in work and study, helping us in temptation and protecting us from physical danger.

"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared."  Exodus 23:20

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith (328)."

There have been many times in my life when I have felt the presence of my guardian angel's protection, as well as the presence of the guardian angels of my loved ones. This prayer ministry began through prayers for a precious little baby, Lily Grace. When she needed heart surgery as an infant, I sensed Our Blessed Mother's presence, that she was standing over her in the operating room, surrounded by angels. It brought me great comfort knowing her guardian angel and Mother Mary had Lily Grace under her loving protection.

Recently, I had the great blessing to venerate the heart of Saint Padre Pio. A few days before, I asked my guardian angel to bring my intentions to Padre Pio's guardian angel. Padre Pio had a great devotion to his guardian angel and so do I. When I venerated Padre Pio's heart, it was truly an encounter with the Living God. Words cannot describe the emotions I felt, being so close to the heart of this powerful saint. Our pastor, Fr. Wayne, had the great honor of holding the reliquary containing the heart. I kissed it and touched my rosaries and prayer cards to his heart. I brought all the intentions of the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry and the Kiss of Mercy Apostolate from my heart to Saint Padre Pio's heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ever since this blessed encounter, I have felt the presence of Padre Pio in my heart.

Guardian Angels, protect all the little ones and all those for whom we pray.

October 01, 2016

Saint Thérèse, the Little Flower, pray for us...

Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. She is the Patroness of the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry.

Saint Thérèse had devotion to Mary and turned to her in prayer as her mother. Her own mother died when she was four years old. During a devastating illness when she was ten years old, she experienced a cure through Mary's intercession. Saint Thérèse saw that the statue of Mary in her bedroom smiled at her. From that moment, she no longer experienced the troubles caused by anxiety and perhaps depression. She understood that the road to Jesus was through abandonment to His Will, like a little child who sleeps without fear in the Father's arms.

At the age of fifteen, she entered the religious life in a Carmelite cloister. Her vocation was love. She is the patron of the missions and she loved to pray for priests. She loved the Scriptures and found that the Word of God was a lamp for her feet. She would love to retain favorite passages or lines from Scripture so that they came back to her during the day and energized her commitment to Jesus Christ. In fact, Saint Thérèse wrote that often enough a word from God, an insight, a sense of direction, a response to a situation came to her not during the hour of prayer but when she was about her daily work. Her spirituality is known as the "little way" doing small things with great love, doing great things for God by remaining little like a child.

Prayer, for Saint Thérèse, was a way of walking with God in her daily dities. Whether it was a period of meditative prayers with the other nuns in the community or lifting her heart to God in short prayers of intercession or praise, she realized that God was with her. Her deep trust in God and in God's love for her paved a way of joy and happiness. She is now known as the "little flower" and what brought her to Heaven was love. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997.

"Draw me, we will run..."
To ask to be drawn is to will intimate union with the object which holds the heart captive. If fire and iron were gifted with reason, and that the latter said to the fire: "Draw me," would not this prove that it desired to become identified with the fire even so far as to share its substance? Well, that is exactly my prayer. I beg of Jesus to draw me into the flames of His Love, to unite me so closely to Himself that He may live and act in me. I feel that the more the fire of love inflames my heart, the more I shall say: "Draw me," the more also will the souls who draw near to mine run swiftly in the fragrant odors of the Well-Beloved. Words of Saint Thérèse, Story of A Soul, Chapter XI

Through the intercession of Saint Thérèse, the lives of many people have been permanently changed. Her love for souls is immeasurable. With gratitude, we pray: Through your intercession, Saint Thérèse, teach us to be willing to become like little children. We ask you to "shower your roses" upon us and those we pray for.