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

May 31, 2017

Reflection: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Elizabeth greeted Mary with the words, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Mary burst forth with the song of praise which we call the Magnificat, beginning with the words, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord."  From the Gospel Luke 1:39-56

It is this meeting, The Visitation, that we celebrate today.

John the Baptist, unborn, leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb. He sensed the Presence of Jesus. Two women meet. Elizabeth seemed to be too old to have a child, but she was destined to bear a son John, the last prophet of the Old Covenant; Mary, seemed to be not ready to have a child, but she was destined to bear a Son Jesus, the One Who was the beginning of the New Covenant.

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

On this day, find a quiet place to ponder the Visitation. Ask Mary to come into your home and visit with you. As you spend time with Mary, share with her all the things on your heart. She is your Mother. Ask her to help you have faith and expectant hope like she does.

Mary traveled. in haste, to be with her cousin. She went to serve. Her act of self-giving teaches us how to serve one another. Imagine the joy both women experienced in sharing the miraculous events that they were both "with child." Our God is a God of surprises! He loves to delight us and often does the unexpected. He wants you to trust in Him and to expect miracles for nothing is impossible with God.

For nothing will be impossible for God. Luke 1:37


May 30, 2017

True Devotion to Mary

Saint Louis Marie de Montfort wrote in the Treatise about the meaning of True Devotion to Mary:  True devotion to Mary is interior; it comes from the mind and heart. It is the tender trust in the Virgin Mary, like the confidence a child has in its mother who the child looks for in all its needs. It is holy and leads us to avoid sin and to imitate Mary in her virtues, unceasing prayer and mortifications. It is constant, gives us courage and strengthens us to do good. It inspires the soul to seek, not itself, but God above everything else.

Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin
After Holy Communion, close your eyes and recollect yourself. Then usher Jesus into the heart of Mary: you are giving Him to His Mother who will receive Him with great love and give Him the place of honor, adore Him profoundly, show Him perfect love, embrace Him intimately in spirit and in truth, and perform many offices for Him of which we, in our ignorance, would know nothing. Or, maintain a profoundly humble heart in the presence of Jesus dwelling in Mary. Or be in attendance like a slave at the gate of the royal palace, where the King is speaking with the Queen. While they are talking to each other, with no need of you, go in spirit to heaven and to the whole world, and call upon all creatures to thank, adore and love Jesus and Mary for you. "Come, let us adore."

O Mary, Our Lady, Our Queen and Our Mother, in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we implore you to take our cause into your hands and grant it good success.  Amen.  Fr. Dermot Roache, SMA

Let us entrust our lives, our families and all those for whom we pray through this ministry to Our Blessed Mother Mary.

Take my hand, Maria.




May 29, 2017

Memorial Day: We remember our fallen heroes...

Freedom isn't free. On this Memorial Day, we honor all those who have given their lives for our freedom. May they rest in eternal peace.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13 

As we look at this image of the American flag and the resting place of our military, we remember, with great gratitude, all our brave military men and women who gave their lives for our freedom and we remember their families, especially the children. May the Lord bring them comfort that they know He is near and with them always.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.  John 14:18

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.  In green pastures He makes me lie down; to still waters He leads me;  He restores my soul.  He guides me along right paths for the sake of His Name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.  Psalm 23

Jesus is our strength and our comfort. We have nothing to fear. He is with us always and He gives us courage in times of distress.

In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.  John 16:33

May 25, 2017

The Ascension of the Lord

Jesus ascended to the Father into heaven, not to abandon us, but to prepare a place for us. This is His message to us of hope and consolation. Through the grace of the Ascension, may we keep our eyes, minds and hearts fixed on heaven.

Acts of the Apostles 1:8-11
But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

Pope Benedict XI:  "The Lord draws the gaze of the Apostles our gaze toward Heaven to show how to travel the road of good during earthly life. Nevertheless, He remains within the framework of human history; He is near to each of us and guides our Christian journey: He is the companion of the those persecuted for the faith, He is in the heart of those who are marginalized, He is present in those whom the right to life is denied. We can hear, see and touch our Lord Jesus in the Church, especially through the Word and the Sacraments."

I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world. Alleluia. Matthew 28:20


May 19, 2017

Reflection: I have called you friends...

Jesus desires friendship with you. You did not choose Him. He chose you to go and bear fruit that will remain.. 

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another." John 15:9-17

Jesus teaches us how to be His friend, There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend.

Do you have a close intimate friendship?  It is a gift from God. When you have this beautiful gift, you cherish and nurture this friendship by spending time together.

Jesus is your friend. He desires to have a close intimate friendship with you. He gave you the way to this friendship to love one another and to do what He commands. Our Lady gave us this way when she said to the servants at the Wedding at Cana, "Do whatever He tells you."  John 2:5

How can you nurture your friendship with Jesus?  Spend time every day in prayer. Find a quiet place in your home, visit a chapel where Jesus is present in the tabernacle and visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration where He is Present on the altar, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also 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 his love."

O Jesus, You are our friend. Help us to imitate You by staying close to Mary, our Blessed Mother. Heal our hearts and bring healing, peace and comfort to all those for whom we pray.

May 17, 2017

Reflection: I am the vine, you are the branches...

Jesus teaches us that He is the vine, God the Father is the vine grower and we are the branches.

Jesus said to His disciples, "I am the vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does, He prunes, so that it bears more fruit. John 15:1-2 

How can you bear fruit?  You bear fruit by staying attached to the vine, which is Jesus. He has called you by name as His disciple and He wants you to bear fruit with your life.

How do you stay attached to the vine?  Jesus gave you the Mass to keep you attached to the vine. During the Mass, you hear the Word of God to nourish your soul and receive the Eucharist to feed you food for the journey, the bread from heaven.

Without Jesus, we can do nothing. Jesus uses the image of the vine to show us that we can grow and become who He made us to be when we stay attached to Him. He gives us strength and grace to endure hardships and to bear fruit with our lives. When we bear fruit, we share our gifts with others; we serve God by serving others.  Jesus said:

By their fruits, you will know them. Matthew 7:20

Have you ever been isolated, excluded or cut off from others?  If you have experienced this pain, you know how much it hurts. Bring your hurts to Jesus in prayer, especially during the Mass. If you can, go to daily Mass. In this way, Jesus will heal you and nourish you every day with His Word and the Eucharist. Jesus came to unite us with one another and to bring us to Himself and to the Father.

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples. John 15:7-8

May 14, 2017

Reflection: A mother's love...

Today we celebrate Mother's Day. We remember all our mothers, living and deceased and all the women who have been mothers to us. The Blessed Mother Mary is our Mother. 

On the Cross, Jesus gave her to us when He said, 

"Behold, your Mother." John 19:27

Meditation: A dear friend gave me a beautiful image of Mary called Madonna Magnificat. Mary's face is captivating and her hands are folded in prayer and clasped together under her chin. She looks like she is pondering. I gaze at this image often and I get lost in prayer as I look at her face. Mary teaches me how to ponder. Mary wants to teach you too.

Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19  

Take a moment and be still. Gaze at an image of the face of Mary or an image of Mary gazing at the Baby Jesus. Ponder this image and call upon the Holy Spirit to be with you during this intimate time of prayer. Speak to Mary and ask her to teach you how to ponder as she did. There were many things Mary did not understand but she pondered them in her heart. Ask her for the grace to ponder the things you do not understand. Ask her to be with you as you ponder. Mary was with the Apostles at Pentecost and she is with you always. Mary will teach you how to ponder as she ponders and she will draw you to her Beloved Son Jesus.

Through this ministry, we pray for so many intentions. As we pray for all mothers, we remember in a special way mothers of disabled children that they may embrace their child and see, in their child, the beauty created by God.

A young mother describes her experience as the mother of Christian, a baby born with severe disabilities, including no eyes. Christian's Mom deflected cruel taunts with love. This video shows the love she has for her child, her miracle. Christian and his Mom and Dad are love.

In this is love... 1 John 4:10

Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of the Angels, we entrust to you all these special Moms and their precious little ones.  Bless all mothers and wrap them under your protective mantle of love.



May 13, 2017

Our Lady of Fatima 100th Anniversary + Saint Jacinta + Saint Francisco, pray for us!

One hundred years ago today, Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the three shepherd children Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. Today, Pope Francis canonized two of the children saints: Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco.

Pope Francis Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima
Hail Holy Queen, Blessed Virgin of Fatima, Lady of Immaculate Heart, our refuge and our way to God!

As a pilgrim of the Light that comes to us from your hands, I give thanks to God the Father, who in every time and place is at work in human history; As a pilgrim of the Peace that, in this place, you proclaim, I give praise to Christ, our peace, and I implore for the world concord among all peoples; As a pilgrim of the Hope that the Spirit awakens, I come as a prophet and messenger to wash the feet of all, at the same table that unites us.

Refrain: Ave O Clemens, Ave O pia! Salve Regina Rosarii Fatimae. Ave O clemens, Ave, O pia! Ave O dulcis Virgo Maria!

Prayer to Saints Jacinta and Francisco
God of infinite goodness, You love the innocent and exalt the humble; please grant, through the intercession of the Immaculate Mother of Your Son, that, in imitation of Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, we may serve You in simplicity of heart and thus may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who is God with You in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lady appeared in Fatima between May 13th and October 13th, 1917 to the children,  Mary, the Mother of God, told them that God had sent her with a message for every man, woman and child. At the time, there was war and violence in many parts of the world, much as it is today. Mary told the children to pray the rosary daily. The Blessed Mother appealed to all to pray hard so that the war would cease. On many occasions, the children were asked to tell the people to pray the rosary daily for personal conversion and world peace. Mary warned that people would suffer the consequences of war, hunger and persecution of the Church if they disobeyed God's Will.

Pope Pius XII, on July 7, 1952, consecrated Russia to the Blessed Virgin. Saint Pope John Paul II consecrated the entire world to the Virgin Mary in 1984, a year after the assassination attempt was made on his life. Saint John Paul II believed that his life was saved and he was protected by Our Lady of Fatima. After consecrating the world to her Immaculate Heart, the Pope placed the bullet that hit him on the crown of Our Lady.

Our Lady wants us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, a consecration in which we make a complete surrender of self to our Mother, promising her that we will: Pray the Rosary every day. Offer the little daily sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Make the five Communions of Reparation on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months. In the last apparition at Fatima, Our Lady appeared as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, holding the Scapular in her outstretched hand. The Scapular is the sign of our consecration to Mary's Immaculate Heart. It can be worn as a reminder of the promise we have made to Mary.

"I am the Lady of the Rosary."
In this manner, the Mother of God identified herself to the shepherd children of Fatima. Repeatedly during Our Lady's series of apparitions to the children, she emphasized praying the Rosary daily and "to pray the Rosary well," with meditation on the mysteries. The Queen of Heaven held out the Rosary to mankind as a means of obtaining the salvation of souls, the conversion of sinners, true world peace, and the conversion of Russia. Let us use this spiritual treasure and pray the Rosary every day.

Our Lady of Fatima, Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco, we entrust all the names we receive through this ministry to your loving care.

May 09, 2017

Reflection: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly...

But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:2-3

Jesus calls you by name. 
Do you recognize His voice?

Spend time alone with Him, talking with Him as you would with a dear friend. Go to Eucharistic Adoration where He is present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Go to a chapel and sit before the tabernacle, Make a quiet place in your home where you can sit in the Presence of the Lord. Go to a place where you feel peace, take a quiet walk or sit by the seashore or a lake. Wherever you go, place yourself in His Presence and listen. You will come to know His voice. He will lead you and you will follow.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is always searching for you. When you turn away from Him, He never stops looking for you to draw you back. He protects you from danger and from enemies and watches over His flock. When you are in trouble, He lifts you up on His shoulder or under the protection of His arm and He carries you home to the safety of His fold. He will console and heal you and restore your soul. Place yourself in His arms and rest, knowing you are his beloved child. Be still and listen to His voice...

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus came that you may have abundant life, a life to the fullest, here on earth and eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus offers a blessing with these words. In the Scriptures, there are so many stories of struggles, suffering and pain. God is in the midst of all these difficulties. He brings peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Abundant life is a gift from God. He wants you to experience it, even in the midst of trials. Then He wants you to share it with others, Some of God's blessings are love, mercy, peace, wisdom and grace.

Jesus calls you by name and He sends you out to share His blessings with all the people He places in your path.

The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23:1

May 03, 2017

Reflection: Mary's Garden

You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed. Song of Solomon 4:12

Mary's Garden is a garden filled with flowers, plants and trees named for Mary and Jesus. It is designed to be a place of beauty, a place to pray and contemplate God's creation and a place to ponder the lives of Jesus and Mary and ask them to make your heart a garden for them.

During the Middle Ages, people saw reminders of Mary, the Mother of God, in the flowers and herbs growing around them. Violets were symbols of her humility, lilies her purity and roses her glory. They called her “Flower of Flowers,” and named plants after her. Marigolds were Mary’s Gold, clematis was the Virgin’s Bower and lavender was Our Lady’s Drying Plant. People decorated her altars with flowers on her feast days. In the last century, people also honored Mary with flowers. May crownings were the tradition in Catholic schools during Mary’s month of May and home altars bearing an image of Mary were decorated with blossoms. Those traditions have almost disappeared, but the medieval custom of finding reminders of Mary in flowers and herbs is an important one.

Flower and herb legends tell us about important moments in Mary’s life. The Madonna Lily was carried by the Angel Gabriel when he visited Mary to tell her God had chosen her to be the mother of the Savior. Our Lady’s Bedstraw, Holy Hay and other herbs became radiant in the humble manger where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Carnations and the Christmas Rose bloomed on that night.

More than 30 flowers and herbs are associated legends about Mary’s life. Many of the plants can be easily grown. A Mary Garden is a garden dedicated to Mary. Mary Gardens can be found throughout the world and in places  where you can make a pilgrimage in her honor.

Lily of the Valley Convalleria majalis Mary’s Tears.
It was said that when Mary wept at the foot of the Cross, her tears fell to the ground and turned into the tiny fragrant blossoms of this early spring plant. In England it had the name “Our Lady’s Tears” because when viewed from a distance the white flowerets gave the appearance of teardrops falling. The lily of the valley was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary’s Immaculate Conception and represented the purity of body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.

O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the May. O Mary, make our hearts a garden of prayers for all the intentions we place into your hands.




May 01, 2017

John 10:10 Prayer Ministry...7th Anniversary

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Today we celebrate the 7th Anniversary of this prayer ministry. We honor Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, on this first day of Mary's month of May. The ministry is consecrated to Jesus Christ, Wisdom Incarnate, through the hands of Mary.

"Prayer is, for me, an outburst from the heart; it is a simple glance darted upwards to Heaven; it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy!" Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, Patroness of this prayer ministry

In gratitude, we pray for our beloved priests who prayed a beautiful Prayer of Entrustment to Mary for this prayer ministry at:

The Basilica of Mary Major in Rome, Italy
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, Portugal
Sacred Heart Parish Church in Lourdes, France at the site of Saint Bernadette's Baptismal font
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge Massachsetts at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents

This ministry began on May 1, 2010 but the prayers actually began in May 2006, praying for an unborn baby, Lily Grace. There were medical problems with the baby and we began praying the novena to Saint Anne that "Lily Grace would have abundant life." Through the intercession of Saint Anne, mother of Our Blessed Mother and grandmother of Jesus, Lily Grace was born in November 2006. We give thanks for all the prayers for this precious little baby. She is now a healthy and happy ten year old who loves her little sister, seven year old Norah!

Over these past years, as we pray each day, we have received so many other names to include in our prayers through this ministry. We pray for families, for unborn babies and for children who are healthy, sick or disabled. We pray for priests and seminarians whose vocations are nurtured in their families. We pray for pregnant women, couples who are trying to become pregnant, couples who want to adopt, mothers who have had miscarriages. We pray for parents who have suffered the death of a baby or a child. We pray for grandparents and their grandchildren. We pray for mothers and fathers who have had an abortion or considered having one. We pray for parents who are struggling to accept their disabled child, as well as parents who embrace their disabled child and see, in that child, the beauty that was created by God.

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.

Prayer changes things. Jesus performs miracles, seen and unseen, through all your prayers. We give thanks for the John 10:10 prayer partners who pray the Memorare every day for all the names we have received and all the names we will receive.

Every month, a Mass is offered for all the John 10:10 prayer partners and for all the intentions we receive.

SWEET VIDEO
(This video was posted on the first blog posting on May 1, 2010)