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

March 30, 2018

Reflection: At the Foot of the Cross with Mary, our Blessed Mother

O Jesus, we stand at the Foot of the Cross with Your Mother Mary.  As we gaze up at You, the pain is unbearable.  For three hours, You agonized and suffered unspeakable pain and wounds. How great is Your love for us that You would die this way so that we may have eternal life!

Why did Jesus endure such suffering? 

He did it for you and for me. He loves us so much, He endured every kind of unbearable suffering, torture and abandonment by His friends, Born of the Virgin Mary, the Lamb was seized from the flock and dragged off to be crucified on a Cross. He did it for us. He loves us so much! Jesus came for our salvation, to take away the sins of the world.

Jesus is the Lamb of God who was slain. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the Throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessings. Revelation 5:11-12

Standing at the Foot of the Cross, Blood and Water gushes forth from Your pierced side. Jesus, You spoke these words to John and You speak them to us,

Behold your Mother. John 19:27

At the Annunciation, the angel announced that Mary would be the Mother of God. Now, in the silence of Good Friday, the Mother of God once again receives the Word of God, as her Divine Son is taken down from the Cross and placed in her arms. The Blessed Mother is the Madonna of the Pieta. There is no greater pain for a mother than to see her Son die before her eyes. Mary, who brought Our Savior into the world and watched Him grow, stood helplessly at the Foot of the Cross. She knew this had to be and she accepted it, stood there and mourned silently. Her heart was pierced with sorrow. When the lance pierced the side of Jesus, Blood and Water flowed from Him.

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

On this day, Good Friday, let us unite our sufferings with Mary. No matter what we suffer, the pain of loss, rejection, abandonment, betrayal or illness, Jesus and Mary are with us. We are never alone and they will never abandon us. Let us stand where Grace and Mercy meet at the Foot of the Cross with Mary as we hear her whisper to us:

Be courageous. Be not afraid. Fix your gaze on my Beloved Son and His Passion. Give Him your sufferings and pain and let Him hold you and love you.

Let us reflect on two words, and yet, from Morning Prayer today from the Book of Habakkuk.

For though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit appears on the vine, though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, and yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. God, my Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet swift as those of deer and enables me to tread upon the heights.  Habakkuk 3:17-19

Have you ever wondered if God hears your prayers?

The Lord hears all our prayers. He sees and hears every cry of prayer throughout the whole world. God set us apart to be holy. Turn to Jesus continually. Never give up praying for the living and the dead. He hears your prayers and He will always answer them, in His own perfect timing. Remember that no matter what sufferings and hardships we endure, the Lord is our strength and He is with us always.

Lord, I call to You; hasten to me; listen to my plea when I call. Let my prayer be incense before You; my uplifted hands an evening offering. Psalm 141:1-2

March 27, 2018

From the crib to the Cross

On the joyous day of the Presentation when Joseph and Mary brought the Baby Jesus to the temple, she knew sorrow was to come through the words of Simeon, when he said to Mary, 

"And you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." Luke 2:34-35

In the midst of Holy Week, we recall Mary, standing at the Foot of the Cross with Jesus's beloved disciple John:

"Standing by the Cross of Jesus were His Mother and His Mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw His Mother and the disciple whom He loved, He said to His Mother, 'Woman, behold, Your Son.' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold, your Mother,' And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home."  John 19:25-27

As you walk the Way of the Cross this week, invite Jesus and Mary into the home of your heart.

From the crib to the Cross...



March 19, 2018

Kiss of Mercy Apostolate + 2nd Anniversary

The Kiss of Mercy Apostolate began on March 19, 2016, the Feast Day of Saint Joseph, during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. We sought the spiritual guidance of Rev. Gregory Staab, OMV, Rev. William Kelly, S.T.D. and Bishop Arthur Kennedy S.T.L., Ph.D. The Kiss of Mercy is under the spiritual direction of Rev. Wayne Belschner.

The Apostolate was inspired by Venerable Fulton Sheen. During his talk, Confession, he prophetically said:

"Just think how many mentally disturbed women we are going to have in the United States...when the guilt of abortion begins to attack the mind and soul...Years from now, the guilt will come out in a peculiar way, though at present there may not be any."

We were so struck by his words and we thought about how abortion effects so many, not only the women. Today the problem of abortion seems insurmountable. As we prayed about this, we thought of Saint Therese of Lisieux and the simplicity and power of her "Little Way" which is the Love and Mercy of God.

We wrote a simple prayer which is the essence of the Apostolate. An imprimatur was received on the Kiss of Mercy Prayer on January 25, 2017.

Kiss of Mercy Prayer
To be recited while kissing an image of Jesus
Jesus I trust in You.
May my kiss, 
and Your grace,
convert, heal and 
reconcile to the Father 
one soul wounded by abortion.
Recite one Hail Mary

Nihil Obstat +Arthur L. Kennedy S.T.L., Ph.D.
                        Auxiliiary Bishop of Boston
Permission +Sean P. Cardinal O'Malley, O.F.M., Cap.
                       Archbishop of Boston
Date January 25, 2017

Through the Kiss of Mercy Apostolate, we pray for conversion, healing and reconciliation to the Father for all souls wounded by abortion, one soul at a time.

Saint Therese of Lisieux, Venerable Fulton Sheen and Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Kiss of Mercy Apostolate for healing from abortion

March 18, 2018

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

The Feast Day of Saint Joseph is March 19. He is the Protector of Families, Patron of Fathers and of the Universal Church.

"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."  Saint Pope John Paul II

Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary, is the guardian of fathers, families, those in need, workers, travelers, the persecuted, the poor, the aged and the dying. He accepted the role entrusted to him by God by faithfully listening to the Lord, seeking to understand His Will and obeying it with his whole heart and strength. This is why the Gospel describes him as a "just" man. The just man is the person who prays, lives by faith, and seeks to do good in every concrete circumstance of life.

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." 

Saint Theresa of Avila's devotion to Saint Joseph  "I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my father and lord delivered me both from this trouble and also from other and greater troubles concerning my honor and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant."

Saint Joseph, intercede for us, pray for all families, protect and guard them as you do Mary and the Child Jesus.

March 14, 2018

Reflection: O Mary Seat of Wisdom

Mary, Seat of Wisdom (also known as Our Lady of the Chair or the Latin name Sedes Sapientiae), is a very old title for Mary. She is often shown seated on a throne, holding the Christ Child on her lap, and offering Him for adoration. Many early Christians saw Christ as Wisdom incarnate; therefore, by holding Him on her lap, Mary becomes the “seat” of wisdom. The title also refers to the fact that Mary “held” wisdom inside her by carrying Christ in her womb.

Wisdom is a gift from God that helps us understand His plan and purpose for our lives. It is a gift that needs to be cultivated through prayer so that the soil of our hearts can hear God’s voice, as Mary did. Mary’s parents helped her to develop her gift of wisdom so that she was ready to understand God’s plan and purpose for her life when the angel came to announce it. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus, too, “grew in wisdom, age and grace” so that He came to understand what God wanted of Him. Wisdom is our gift.

When you have a difficult decision to make, what do you do? Do you bring it to prayer? 
The Lord hears and answers our prayers. Turn to Mary, Seat of Wisdom. She knows you and you are her child. Ask her for wisdom in the decisions you make. Go to Eucharistic Adoration or visit a chapel or church and sit in the Presence of the Lord. Quiet your mind and heart and be open to hear what the Lord wants to say to you. Speak to Him about your heart's desire and tell Him you are seeking wisdom. Then in the silence of your heart, listen. He will speak to you.

"I thank the Lord and I praise Him; I bless the Name of the Lord. When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer. I prayed for her before the temple, and I will seek her until the end, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe. My heart delighted in her, My feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth, I was familiar with her. In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction. Since in this way, I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise. I became resolutely devoted to her, the good I persistently strove for. My soul was tormented in seeking her, My hand opened her gate and I came to know her secrets. I directed my soul to her, and in cleanness, I attained to her."  Sirach 51:12-20

O Mary, Seat of Wisdom, teach us to turn to Jesus for His wisdom in our lives and pray for us and for all the names we receive through this prayer ministry.

March 10, 2018

24 Hours for the Lord

In 2014, Pope Francis began an annual initiative which is taking place all around the world today. It is called 24 Hours for the Lord. It is a time for the worldwide Catholic community to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the context of Eucharistic adoration.

God is rich in mercy.  Ephesians 2:4

This is your invitation. Jesus is calling you by name. Go and receive healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus told Saint Faustina to bring her miseries, troubles and griefs to Him at the Throne of Mercy. He is waiting for you to do the same. Run and throw yourself into the arms of Jesus and let Him love you. He will pour out His healing, grace and mercy upon you.


Jesus to Saint Faustina
My Mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of My Goodness? For you, I descended from heaven to earth; for you, I allowed Myself to be nailed to the Cross; for you, I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of Mercy for you. Come then, with trust, to draw graces from this fountain. I never reject a contrite heart, Your misery has disappeared in the depths of My Mercy. Do not argue with Me about your wretchedness. You will give Me pleasure if you hand over to Me all your troubles and griefs. I shall heap upon you the treasures of My grace. Diary of Saint Faustina 1485 

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.  Opening Prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

March 06, 2018

Reflection: Do not worry...

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus speaks to the disciples and to us: "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Mark 6:25

Close your eyes and think about the things that you worry about. Imagine you are sitting with Jesus. Open your heart and tell Him your worries, fears and anxieties.

"Can any of you by worrying, add a single moment of your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. They do not work or spin." Mark 6:27-28

Find a quiet place and ponder these words about Jesus by Saint Therese, the Little Flower:

"He set the book of nature before me and I saw all the flowers He has created are lovely. The splendour of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness and there would be no wild flowers to make the meadows gay. It is just the same in the world of souls which is the garden of Jesus. He has created great saints who are like lilies and roses, but He has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice His eyes whenever He glances down. Perfection consists in doing His Will, in being that which He wants us to be."

Ponder the book of nature as you sit with Jesus in a field of wildflowers. Place your worries, fears and anxieties in His hands and gaze at the beauty of each little flower...knowing that God created YOU, just as He created each little seed and flower petal. God wants to shower you with His grace so you can go and bear fruit.

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father, in My Name, He may give to you." John 15:16

Pray, hope and don't worry.  Saint Padre Pio

March 03, 2018

Reflection: Fr. Greg Staab, OMV, rest in eternal peace. "Well done, My good and faithful servant!"

Shepherd Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage that lives apart in a woodland in the midst of an orchard. Micah 7:14

I have been blessed to know so many beautiful priests, good shepherds. Today I want to remember Father Greg Staab, OMV (Oblates of the Virgin Mary). The Lord called him home in the evening of Thursday March 1st. Fr. Greg was a dear friend of the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry and the Kiss of Mercy Apostolate. He lived "all for Jesus through Mary" and he taught others to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary. He had a burning love for the Divine Mercy of Jesus.

His master said to him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21

Fr. Greg had a very rare disease and spent over three years in the hospital. but his priestly ministry continued from his hospital bed. Being with Fr. Greg, you were not aware of his suffering for he said he had offered it to God. He had the same twinkle in his eye and love for others that he had before his illness began.

There was a constant flow of visitors to see Fr. Greg: priests, seminarians, sisters, friends, hospital patients and hospital workers. As long as he was able, he celebrated Mass followed by a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration every day. He inspired me and so many others with his deep love for the Eucharist and for Mary, our Immaculate Mother, his love for prayer and for the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, his devotion to the Holy Guardian Angels, to Saint Therese of Lisieux and Saint Faustina. He continually spread the message of the Divine Mercy of God in Jesus Christ who bestows upon us unimaginable graces when we approach the Fount of His mercy. Fr. Greg worked tirelessly for the salvation of souls.

It was a grace for me to be at Masses Fr. Greg celebrated from his hospital bed. At one Mass, during his homily on the Gospel of Luke 7, Fr. Greg spoke about the widow whose only son had died and how Jesus raised the young boy from the dead. He said Jesus performed the miracle of raising someone from the dead only three times in the Gospels.

The only son of the widow had died and his body was being carried out. A large crowd was with the widow.  Jesus saw her and was moved with pity and said, "Do not weep."  Then Jesus moved forward and touched the coffin and said,

"Young man, I tell you, arise!" Luke 7:14

Immediately, the dead man got up and spoke. Then Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized the crowd and they glorified God.

During the homily, Fr. Greg said the greatest miracle occurs when a person goes to confession. 

Fr. Greg said, "Never stay away from confession.  Go often and go immediately, if you have mortal sin.  If your house is on fire, do you wait six months before you call the fire department?  Of course not.  What would happen if you didn't clean your kitchen for a month?  You can't wait if your house is on fire or if your kitchen has not been cleaned for a month.  And so it is with your soul.  Confession is the place where a soul is resurrected from the death of sin to new life through the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

On my way to Mass the next morning, I was pondering Fr. Greg's homily and I noticed clumps of little yellow flowers which seemed to be sprouting out of the cement at the foot of my church stairs. Drawing closer, I saw beautiful little yellow pansies coming out of a crack between the sidewalk and the granite foundation of the church. I was struck by the beauty of God's creation and how God brings new life in unexpected ways.

The story of the widow whose only son had died is a story of how Jesus brings new life out of death. He wants us to know that all things are possible with Him. He wants us to come to Him, as we are, and He will make new life in us. Jesus will bring new life to you, in unexpected ways.

God brings new life in our spiritual lives too, sometimes in unexpected ways. 

Have you experienced a loss or gone through a period of sadness, when someone speaks a word of comfort that lifts your spirits? 

Have you read a verse of Scripture which touched your heart deeply? 

Have you listened to the music during Mass and felt a surge of love come upon you? 

Have you received the Sacraments and experienced God's love in a new and profound way? 

Have you prayed for something or for someone and your prayers were answered? 

Have you prayed, in confident trust, that your prayers will be answered, in God's perfect timing?

Our hearts are made for love. Fr. Greg led a life of love, love for God and for others. God is always near and He waits for the perfect moment to come inside, to bring us new life. There may be times that we are not open to receive His grace. God will come, even through the tiniest crack or opening in our hearts, like the crack between the sidewalk and the granite foundation of my church, where new life burst forth in tiny yellow pansies.

God delights in you and He wants to do something new and unexpected in your life. Open your heart and invite Him in. Ask Him to help you let go of the things that keep you away from His Presence. He will come to you.  He will help you and He will bring new life in you. Go to confession and go often. Like the little yellow pansies coming out of the crack, Jesus will come into your heart and He will say to you, "Arise!"

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God and Mother of Priests, pray for the repose of the soul of our beloved Fr. Greg Staab, OMV. May he rest in eternal peace. May Jesus say to him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"