Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary...

Saint Bernard sums up the great spiritual advantage of true devotion to our Blessed Mother. Let us pray as a trusting child of Mary:

"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 those we carry when our loved ones hurt. Let us bring them to her and ask her to intercede to her Beloved Son 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, pondering them in her heart. Let us unite our sufferings and those of our loved ones 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 that the "Memorare" was written by Saint Bernard.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to thee do I come, before thee 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 obedient service of God. In heaven, she leads the song of eternal praise which rises like incense before the throne of God. O Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us.

Reflection: O Holy Family, pray for us!

As we ponder the Nativity, let us gaze at the Baby Jesus, the Light of the World. He came to us as a little Baby.

Let us enter the scene. Mary and Joseph are watching over the newborn King with awe and wonder. They beckon you to come. As you draw close to the Holy Family, the love of Jesus comes pouring into your heart. Kneel before Him and adore Him. As you gaze at the Baby Jesus, He gazes at you with great love.

This is a beautiful image of the Nativity scene. In the painting, circa 1515, art historians and doctors say it depicts a child with Down syndrome as the angel nearest to Mary, possibly the child of the person who commissioned the painting. The painting is called "Adoration of the Christ Child" by Jan Joest of Kalkar in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The John 10:10 Prayer Ministry began through all the prayers offered for a beautiful baby with Down syndrome, Lily Grace. She is now a happy, healthy thirteen year old who brings light and love to everyone she encounters.

I recall our family was visiting at a beautiful Nativity scene on the grounds of our parish. As we walked up the pathway, the lights suddenly came on shining on the Holy Family. Lily Grace and her little sister Norah, were amazed at how the lights came on at that very moment! As we drew near, they touched the Holy Family, the shepherds and the animals who were near them. Above the Holy Family, is a large Angel, holding a banner, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo Glory to God in the Highest." Norah asked why the angel looked so serious. I told her that the Angel has a very important job: to protect and guide the Holy Family and the Angel took his job very seriously. I explained that God gives each one of us a Guardian Angel who stays with us from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Our guardian angels protect, guide and enlighten us throughout our lives. We can talk to and thank our guardian angel.

O Holy Family, as we gaze at you, your light comes down to shine upon us and we give you our hearts. Saint Joseph and Holy Mary, Mother of God, help us to always keep our eyes fixed on the Baby. Sweet Baby Jesus, the Light of the World, let us look at the angels surrounding You, especially the little angel with Down syndrome, and bow in adoration of You asking for the love and pure heart of this special little angel.  

O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Reflection: The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Beloved, now this is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Jesus came to us in Goodness and Light as a vulnerable little baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. Amid the joy of Christmas, there is great sadness today as we remember the Feast Day of the Holy Innocents, the male children under the age of two who were put to death by Herod. His hatred for these little children made them the first martyrs for Jesus. 

When Herod realized that the Magi did not return to him after they followed the star to see the newborn king of the Jews, he became furious and ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under. The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children...”Rachel was the wife of Jacob. She is pictured as weeping at the place where the Israelites were herded together by the conquering Assyrians for their march into captivity.

Matthew 2:12-15 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the Child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Ponder what it was like for Joseph when the angel appeared to him in a dream. Imagine how concerned he must have been for Mary and the Child Jesus. Joseph did not doubt or question the angel. He rose from the dream and left for Egypt immediately. Joseph trusted and obeyed God. Pray to Joseph and ask him to help you trust in God as he did.

Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the whereabouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could also “do him homage.” They found Jesus, offered him their gifts and, warned by an angel, avoided Herod on their way home. Jesus escaped to Egypt.

Matthew 2:16-18 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."

Today we remember the Holy Innocents and we pray for all the babies lost in our time to the horror of abortion. We pray for their families and for all souls wounded by abortion.
Kiss of Mercy - Prayer Apostolate for Healing from Abortion

A baby is a precious gift from God. We pray that ALL LIFE will be protected through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn.

The Shrine of the Holy Innocents - A sacred place of prayer and healing for parents and others who have been touched by the loss of a child.

For unto us a Child is born!

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given us; upon His shoulder, dominion rests. They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:5 

Heavenly Father, we contemplate and gaze upon the newborn Baby Jesus, all holy, full of innocence, the Son of God.  Sweet Baby Jesus, Prince of Peace, we rejoice on this day of Your birth. Come into our hearts with Your peace and love.

Luke 8-14 "Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Jesus came to us as a little baby so we would not be afraid to come to Him. Open your heart to receive Jesus. You are His beloved one.

That I am Your beloved

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Away in a manger...

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

The manger helps us to contemplate the mystery of God's love who revealed Himself in the simplicity of the Bethlehem cave. The secret of Christmas is in the crib. Jesus was born into poverty and in humility. Jesus calls upon us to embrace poverty and humility of spirit and to rely on Him for all our needs.

Like the shepherds who found the Babe in a manger, may we open our hearts to gaze at Jesus in the manger. May we find the joy and peace of Christmas and share it with all those we encounter.

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this things that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16

May our own Nativity scenes be a visible reminder of that Holy Night when our Savior was born. May we keep the Holy Family in our hearts, Mary and Joseph and the little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin. May we always remember that the wood of the manger that held Him so securely would one day give way to the wood of the Cross.



Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and all the names we receive through this ministry.

The Christmas Crib

The cherished tradition of the Christmas crib and the Nativity scene was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, Saint Francis longed to see, with his own eyes, the circumstances of Jesus' coming to Bethlehem, that he arranged to have the scene recreated in a cave at Greccio, using live people and animals. During the solemnities of the Mass being offered there, a little child was seen lying in the manger. From that celebration began the custom of the Christmas crib or crèche.

The manger helps us to contemplate the mystery of God's love who came as a little baby and revealed Himself in the poverty and simplicity of the Bethlehem cave. Saint Francis of Assisi was so overwhelmed by the mystery of the Incarnation that he wanted to present it again in Greccio with the living manger, which led to our tradition today.

Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor.  2 Corinthians 8:9

Christmas brings joy and peace to those who accept the words of the angel, as the shepherds did:

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  Luke 2:12

Place your Nativity scene near or under your Christmas tree as a visible reminder of that Holy Night when our Savior was born. May we always see the the Holy Family, Mary and Joseph and the little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin. May we always remember that the wood of the manger that held Him so securely would one day give way to the wood of the Cross. May we too embrace Jesus with all of our love as did Saint Francis.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and all the names we receive through this ministry.

Reflection: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been conceived in her. She will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:20-21

When the angel appeared in his dream, calling Joseph, by name, the angel's first words were, "Do not be afraid." 

Joseph was betrothed to Mary but they did not yet live together. Imagine how he must have felt when he found out that Mary was with child! He was a good and loving man. He wanted to protect Mary so decided he would divorce her quietly. 

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him Mary's child was conceived  by the Holy Spirit, Joseph responded with complete trust. Joseph listened to the message of the angel and he obeyed. He awoke from his dream and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and he took Mary into his home. 

Ponder Joseph's obedience and trust. Ask him to teach you how to obey and trust the way he did. 

Meditation:

Are you afraid about something? Is there a situation in your life that provokes fear and worry? 

Go to Joseph. When you are faced with something that you do not understand, go to Joseph. Ask him to be with you and to help you trust the way he did. Go to Joseph. He will console you and protect you. As you await the birth of the Baby Jesus, invite Joseph to come into your home, the home of your heart.

Visit a chapel this week before Christmas, sit before the tabernacle or the creche and ponder the angel's message to Joseph. The angel called him "by name" and told him not to be afraid. As you sit in silence, The Lord calls you "by name." Ask Jesus to help you listen, be obedient and to trust Him in all things as Joseph did. Pour out your heart to Him and receive His love and peace.

Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and they shall name Him Emmanuel which means "God is with us." Matthew 1:23

Reflection: What will you give the Baby Jesus for Christmas?

Today let us ponder the word JOY, a gift that comes in knowing the Presence of God.

On this third Sunday of Advent, we pause and rejoice because we know that the Lord is near. We are coming close to the day of the birth of our Savior. Ask Mary how to teach you how to love Jesus the way she does. Ask her to give you the Joy of knowing Jesus in your heart.

What will you give the Baby Jesus for Christmas? Will you give Him your heart?

Jesus is our JOY.

Jesus 
Open 
Yes

Today let us take time to gaze at the Baby Jesus. Sit with Him and ponder His precious Face. He came as a baby, pure, vulnerable and little. He came to touch our hearts.
Open your heart now and invite the Baby Jesus in. His arms are outstretched to you.
Say Yes to the Baby Jesus, reach out and touch His little hands and hold Him close to your heart. He has something special to give you for Christmas. As you gaze at Him, let Him love you.

Diary of Saint Faustina 40 Most Holy Virgin Mary has taught me how to love God interiorly and also how to carry out His Holy Will in all things. O Mary, you are joy, because through you, God descended to earth and into my heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always; I shall say it again, rejoice. Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 

Joy to the World, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart, prepare Him room. And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Reflection: Long lay the world in sin and error pining...

Today there so much disregard for life. It can seem like the darkness is overwhelming.  

Be not afraid... 

As we prepare our hearts during Advent and await the birth of the Baby Jesus, do not be discouraged or overcome by the darkness. Jesus comes to dispel the darkness with His wonderful light. 

On that Holy Night, our dear Savior came and there was Light. Jesus is the Light of the world.  During this beautiful season, listen closely to the words of Christmas songs.

O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of our dear Savior's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

When we hear about the disregard for life and the violence and tragedies all around the world, remember that it is sin and error that brings the darkness...in the world and in our hearts...

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

We know our worth when we have a personal encounter with Jesus. When you are in sin and error, come to Jesus in Confession.  When you have an encounter with Him in the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation, your soul will feel it's worth.

'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

If you have not been to confession in a while, invite Our Lady to come with you. She will help you as your beautiful Mother. Be not afraid. The priest will help you if you do not remember what to do. Run to Jesus and pour out your heart to Him. Bring Him your sin, miseries, weariness, pain and sufferings. You will receive forgiveness, mercy, healing, grace and peace. He will pour His Light and Love upon you...

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Open your heart and let Jesus shine His Light and healing Love upon you. He is waiting for you. Morning has broken... Healing and hope.. Come...

Fall on your knees and hear the angel voices.  O night Divine, O night when Christ was born.  O night Divine, O night, O night Divine.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Patroness of the Unborn and of the Americas  
Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. A poor Indian Juan Diego was a 57 year old widower who lived in a small village near Mexico City. On Saturday morning December 9, 1531, he was on his way to attend Mass in honor of Our Lady. He was walking by a hill called Tepeyac when he heard beautiful music like the warbling of birds. A radiant cloud appeared and within it a young Native American maiden dressed like an Aztec princess. The lady spoke to him in his own language and sent him to the bishop of Mexico, a Franciscan named Juan de Zumarraga. She told him that the bishop was to build a chapel in the place where the lady appeared.

Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego:

"Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of your joy?"

“My dearest son, I am the eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, Author of Life, Creator of all and Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth...and it is my desire that a church be built here in this place for me, where, as your most merciful Mother and that of all your people, I may show my loving clemency and the compassion that I bear to the Indians, and to those who love and seek me.”

Juan Diego went to the bishop who told him to have the lady give him a sign. About this same time Juan Diego’s uncle became seriously ill. Poor Diego tried to avoid the lady but she appeared to him and assured him that his uncle would recover and she provided roses for Juan to carry to the bishop in his cape or tilma. Juan Diego told his story to the bishop, who instructed him to return and ask the Lady for a miraculous sign to prove her claim.

The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather some flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill. It was winter and no flowers bloomed, but on the hilltop Diego found flowers of every sort, and the Virgin herself arranged them in his tilma, or peasant cloak. When Juan Diego opened his tilma in the bishop’s presence, the roses fell to the ground and the bishop sank to his knees. On Juan Diego’s tilma appeared an image of Mary miraculously imprinted exactly as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac. It was December 12, 1531.

The Image on the Tilma

The imprint of Mary on the tilma is striking, and the symbolism was primarily directed to Juan Diego and the Aztecs. Mary appears as a beautiful young Indian maiden with a look of love, compassion, and humility, her hands folded in prayer in reference to the Almighty God. Her rose dress, adorned with a jasmine flower, eight petal flowers, and nine heart flowers symbolic to the Aztec culture, is that of an Aztec princess. Her blue mantle symbolized the royalty of the gods, and the blue color symbolized life and unity. The stars on the mantle signified the beginning of a new civilization. La Morenita appeared on the day of the winter solstice, considered the day of the sun's birth; the Virgin's mantle accurately represents the 1531 winter solstice! Mary stands in front of and hides the sun, but the rays of the sun still appear around her, signifying she is greater than the sun god, the greatest of the native divinities, but the rays of the sun still bring light. Twelve rays of the sun surround her face and head. She stands on the moon, supported by an angel with wings like an eagle: to the Aztec, this indicated her superiority to the moon god, the god of night, and her divine, regal nature.

Most important are the black maternity band, a jasmine flower, and a cross that are present in the image. Mary wore a black maternity band, signifying she was with child. At the center of the picture, overlying her womb, is a jasmine flower in the shape of an Indian cross, which is the sign of the Divine and the center of the cosmic order to the Aztec. This symbol indicated that the baby Mary carried within her, Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, is Divine and the new center of the universe. On the brooch around her neck was a black Christian cross, indicating she is both a bearer and follower of Christ, the Son of God, our Savior, who died on the Cross to save mankind. The image signified Mary bringing her Son Christ to the New World through one of their own.

Our Lady's apparition was an event of great significance for Native Americans. Nine million Indians became Catholic in a very short time. Our Lady of Guadalupe shows us God's love for the poor and for the unborn.  Our Lady said to Juan Diego, "I will give all my protection to the people. I am the merciful Mother of all mankind. Am I not your fountain of life."  Our Lady of Guadalupe protects all her children, born and unborn.

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47

Our Lady of Guadalupe, we entrust all the names we receive through this prayer ministry to you, our most loving and merciful Mother.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

You are all beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you. Song of Solomon 4:7

Today we celebrate of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On this day, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was conceived without sin. The Immaculate Conception means that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from original sin from the very moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne. God made Mary a pure vessel to carry His Beloved Jesus in her womb.

Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen year-old girl in Lourdes, France on February 11, 1858. The Blessed Mother told Bernadette to drink from the fountain within the grotto. This fountain was unknown and there was no sign of its location. Bernadette scratched the ground and a spring gushed forth from the spot from which she was asked to build a chapel. This is where the Blessed Mother proclaimed. "I am the Immaculate Conception." Ever since Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, Lourdes has been a site for countless miracles.

Today is the Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America. May Our Lady bless our country and protect and guide us as we pray for the protection and sanctity of all Life, especially for life in the womb, for the restoration of the sanctity of Marriage and for the protection of Religious Freedom in our beloved country.

Christ is the "new Adam". The Church Fathers, Saint Justin in 150 AD and Saint Irenaeus 180 AD, saw Mary as the "new Eve". Mary humbly obeyed God; Eve disobeyed. The Church Fathers also called Mary the "new ark of the covenant" and theotokos, God-bearer. From these titles came the doctrine of Mary's Immaculate Conception and her sinlessness unfolded. Saint Ephrem, the Syrian, in 373AD spoke of Mary as without stain or blemish, calling her "all pure, all immaculate, all stainless, all undefiled, all incorrupt, all inviolate." Saint Augustine left open the possibility of Mary's sinlessness, using language similar to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

From the Diary of Saint Faustina 564
On the feast day of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God, during Holy Mass, I heard the rustling of garments and saw the most holy Mother of God in a most beautiful radiance. Her white garment was girdles with a blue sash. She said to me, "You give Me great joy when you adore The Most Holy Trinity for the graces and privileges which were accorded Me."

Heavenly Father, You prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy Mother of your Son. You kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us, by her prayers, to live in Your Presence without sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Reflection: Prepare the way of the Lord

In the wilderness, John the Baptist preaching repentance and proclaiming the Kingdom of heaven and the saving Presence of God. 

After the Baptism of the Lord, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit rested upon Him in the form of a dove. The voice of the Father was heard: This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him. God came to a deserted place. He calls us into a deserted place, into the silence, where we can hear Him. 

A voice of one crying in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths."  Mark 1:3

It is the second week of Advent, a time of waiting and a time of preparing. As we await the coming of the birth of Jesus, let us ask Him to come into our hearts. Find a place to be quiet and sit with the Lord. Stop into a chapel or church. Place yourself in His Presence and just be. When you quiet your mind and heart, He will speak to you in the silence.

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortable unto her. Hosea 2:14  

Be still and trust in God. You are His beloved child. He never leaves you alone, unaided, or forgotten. God comes when you call Him. Be still. When the noise and storms of the world are all around you, come into the quiet Presence of the Lord and the storms will not come into your heart. Place your worries and fears in His hands and place yourself in His Presence. When you are in pain or anguish, God comes and He heals your broken heart. 

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Be still. Pray and ponder God's Word, rest, take a walk, slow down and free your mind and heart so God can dwell within you. Prepare the way of the Lord...

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Reflection: Advent begins...

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. The best way to prepare for Advent is to spend it with Mary, reflecting on how she pondered God's Word. Mary was still. Gaze at the image of the Madonna with Child awaiting the birth of Jesus and ponder like Mary.

Mary invites you to be still. to listen and ponder as God speaks to you during this beautiful season of Advent, as you prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus. 

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:11

How can you prepare your heart for the coming of the baby Jesus on Christmas Day? Ask Our Lady to accompany you. She is your most loving Mother and she will always lead you to her Beloved Son. 

Be still like Mary. Spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. It is there, in the silence, that Jesus will speak to your heart. The message of Advent is to bring light into a world of darkness. The Advent candles symbolize Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. It is He who dispels the darkness and brings hope. The Lord is always coming to those who seek Him. Let us seek Him through the eyes and heart of Mary. 

The silent soul is capable of attaining the closest union with God. It lives almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent soul without hindrance. In order to hear the voice of God, one has to have silence in one's soul and to keep silence; not a gloomy silence but an interior silence; that is to say, recollection in God. Diary of Saint Faustina 198, 477, 118

No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but You doing such deeds for those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:3 

In the wilderness, John the Baptist proclaimed the saving Presence of God. After the Baptism of the Lord, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit rested upon Him in the form of a dove. The voice of the Father was heard: This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him. God came to a deserted place. He calls you into a deserted place, into the silence, where you can hear Him. 

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and lead her into the wilderness, and speak persuasively to her. Hosea 2:16

Open the door of your heart, be still and rest awhile...

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Andrew the Apostle. As Mary, our Blessed Mother, always leads us to Jesus, Saint Andrew brought others to Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon, "We have found the Messiah, the Christ" and he brought him to Jesus. 

When Jesus called Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, He said to them, "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

They immediately dropped their fishing nets and followed him. Let us say Yes to Jesus the way Andrew, Simon and Our Blessed Mother Mary did. Let us call on their intercession in our need.

A novena is normally a nine day prayer, the term is sometimes used for any prayer that is repeated over a series of days. This prayer is often called the "Christmas Novena" or the "Christmas Anticipation Prayer" because it is prayed 15 times every day from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle until Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent is the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew.

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once; or divide up the recitation as necessary, perhaps five times at each meal. Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your children on the Advent season.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

Saint Andrew, you gave your life to follow Jesus. Help us offer our lives to follow Him in all we do and in all we say. Saint Andrew, pray for us.

In thanksgiving for you...

On this Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for all your prayers. Every month, a Mass is offered for the John 10:10 prayer partners and all their intentions. The Lord receives all our prayers and little offerings and places them where they are needed.

Catechism of the Catholic Church #1330 The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all His benefits, for all He has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification.  Eucharist means, first of all, "thanksgiving."

Our Blessed Virgin Mary offered her life and gave her Fiat through her obedience and humble service. This is true worship of God, surrendering to His Will. In heaven, she leads a song of eternal praise, like incense raising up to God.

Listen, my faithful children: open up your petals, like roses planted near running waters; send up the sweet odor of incense, break forth in blossoms like the lily. Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all He has done!  Sirach 39:13-14

O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Our Lady the Miraculous Medal and Saint Catherine Labouré

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Catherine Labouré. In 1830, on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent, Sister Catherine and her community were gathered in the chapel for afternoon prayers. Suddenly, Our Lady appeared to Catherine and entrusted her with the mission of making and distributing the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, now known as the Miraculous Medal.

At first Mary appeared standing on a globe and dressed in white having with a long white veil which fell to her feet. The Virgin held in her hands, at the height of her shoulders, a golden ball which she seemed to be offering to God as she raised her eyes to heaven. Her fingers were covered with rings whose precious jewels sparkled brilliantly and showered down innumerable rays of light on the globe beneath her feet, almost obscuring the view of her feet. Mary lowered her eyes and looked directly at Catherine. Mary said nothing, but Catherine heard this message, 

"The ball which you see represents the world, especially France, and each person in particular. These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The jewels which give no rays symbolize the graces that are not given because they are not asked for." 

Then the apparition changed. Our Lady appeared with a white dress, a blue mantle, and a white veil which draped back over her shoulders. She was still standing on the globe, and had one foot on the head of a serpent which lay at her feet. The 1830 was marked on the globe. The Virgin had her arms and hands pointed downwards, and a cascade of rays was falling down from both hands onto the globe. An oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin, and written around within it, in letters of gold, was the beautiful prayer, 

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Then the vision revolved to show the reverse side of the medal. Catherine saw a Cross with a bar at its feet with which was intertwined an "M" and beneath the "M" were the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, both surmounted by flames of love, one having a crown of thorns, and the other pierced with a sword. Encircling all of this were twelve stars around the oval frame. 

Sister Catherine died on December 31, 1876. In 1895, the cause for sainthood was introduced in Rome and she was beatified on May 28, 1933. When her body was exhumed, after fifty-seven years of burial, it was found to be completely incorrupt and supple. She was canonized a Saint on July 27, 1947.

Saint Catherine Labouré, pray for us!  

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us and all the intentions we receive through this prayer ministry! 

Solemnity of Christ the King

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is the last day of the liturgical year. The new Church Year begins next Sunday on the first Sunday of Advent, a time of waiting in hope and expectation, a time of longing for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Pope Pius XI began this feast day to honor the authority of Jesus Christ, the King of the world, to overcome the rise of evil and so that we will place Jesus in the center of our hearts and lives.

“King” was one of the earliest titles given to the Son of God. The title does not refer to a status of an earthly king, which many of the Jews had been expecting; someone to overthrow the Roman rule and be an earthly king of the Israel. Rather He came to be the spiritual king; His kingdom is in heaven, not confined to the earth alone. It is an eternal Kingdom of light and truth, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace.

“In that first ‘fusion’ with Jesus in Holy Communion, it was my Heavenly Mother again who accompanied me to the altar for it was she herself who placed her Jesus into my soul.” Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church

"The Virgin Mary, being obedient to His Word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God."  Saint Irenaeus, Father of the Church

"I am not only the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of Mercy."  Our Lady to Saint Faustina

And this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  1 Timothy 6:15

The good thief, hanging next to Jesus on the cross said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom." Jesus replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:42-43

Jesus Christ, King of Divine Majesty, have mercy on us. Remember us when You come into Your Kingdom. Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In accordance with Jewish custom Mary's parents, Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, brought her to the Temple and presented her to the Lord. They were inspired to call her Mary.

The meanings ascribed to Mary's name by the early Christian writers and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers. "Bitter Sea," "Myrrh of the Sea," "The Light Giver," "The Enlightened One," "Lady," "Seal of the Lord," and "Mother of the Lord" are the principal interpretations. From the time of Saint Jerome until the 16th century, preferred interpretations of Mary's name in the West were "Lady," "Bitter Sea," "The Light Giver," and especially "Star of the Sea." Stella Maris was by far the favored interpretation. The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, (in Latin Domina) means lady or sovereign; this Mary is in virtue of her Son's sovereign authority as Lord of the World.

Let us pray the words of Saint Bernard who invites us to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did:

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.

The Magnificat
The Canticle of Mary
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

We call Mary our Lady as we call Jesus our Lord, and when we pronounce her name we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection.

Saint Ephrem said, "that the name of Mary is the key of the gates of heaven," in the hands of those who devoutly invoke it.

O Mary, on this Memorial of your Presentation in the Temple, we call upon you and entrust our prayers to you, our most loving Mother.

Reflection: Because grace and mercy are with His holy ones

Those who trust in Him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with Him in love; Because grace and mercy are with His holy ones, and His care is with His elect. Wisdom 3:9

You are God's elect, His holy ones. Trust in Him and seek Him. He offers you grace and mercy.

Meditation:
The Lord is near. Draw near Him and rest your head upon His Sacred Heart. Cry out to Him in prayer. Seek His Face. Turn to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Run to Confession. Call upon Mary, Mother of Mercy, to help you. Jesus is there, waiting for you. Come to the fountain of mercy and grace. He will forgive, heal and strengthen you. Come with your pain, sufferings and all your misery. Lay it all down before the Lord. Come and rest upon His Sacred Heart where the Blood and Water gushes forth from the Fount of Mercy.

Grace and Mercy are beautiful gifts from God!

Grace: The grace conferred by the valid and fruitful reception of the sacraments. It may be one or more of several kinds. Sanctifying grace is communicated in Baptism, Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. Sanctifying grace is always increased when a sacrament is received in the state of grace. Actual grace is given by all the sacraments. The sacramental character is indelibly imprinted on the soul in Baptism, Confirmation and the Priesthood. A distinctive sacramental grace is imparted by each of the seven sacraments, corresponding to the purpose in the supernatural life in the soul.

Mercy: The disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422: "Those who approach the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."

Our Blessed Virgin Mary offered her life to God giving her Fiat, her yes, to Him through her obedience and humbly surrendering to His Will. Mary will help you seek God. Ask her to be with you and guide you. She will teach you how to give your Fiat and she will always lead you to Jesus.

O Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to seek Jesus and turn to Him where we will find mercy, grace and healing. 

In honor of our veterans...

Today we remember all military, men and women, who have served our country, past and present. Almighty Father, through the powerful intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, we give You thanks for all the veterans who have served and all who have given their lives for our country. O Mary, Queen of Peace, bless and protect them and their families.

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

Heavenly Father, we pray for military men and women who have sacrificed their time and strength and even their lives for us and our freedom.  O Lord, we honor them for all they have done and we ask You to bless and protect them and their families.

Prayer for safety of soldiers
Almighty and Eternal God, those who take refuge in You will be glad and forever will shout for joy. Protect soldiers as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of Your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of Your love enable them to return home safely that they may ever praise You for Your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

What can you do for our military?
Pray for the physical protection of our military and for their families. Have Masses offered for them and their families, including for the souls of those who died. Pray a daily rosary for wisdom and strength for them and their families. Offer up your sacrifices and sufferings for those who protect our freedoms. Thank them for their service.

Blessed Mother Mary, protect our veterans and their families, especially their children. Bring comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones defending our country. We are honored to have you as the Patroness of America because you are the most powerful intercessor..

Reflection: The Lost Sheep

In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus spoke of a hundred sheep and one of them strayed. The Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and went out in search of the one who was lost.

So Jesus addressed this parable to them, "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'"  Luke 15:3-6

Jesus is continually looking for you, searching for you. He desires to find you and heal your wounds.

I Myself will pasture My sheep; I Myself will give them rest. The lost I will search out, the strays I will bring back, the injured, I will bind up and the sick, I will heal. Ezekiel 34:15-16

Has it been a while since you have been to Confession?

When you walk away or stray away from Jesus and from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you are that lost sheep. When you turn to Him and receive His forgiveness at the Throne of Mercy, all the angels rejoice because you have repented, you have been found.

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy.  Luke 15:5

Jesus placed the lost sheep on His shoulders. Safe from harm, He took him home rejoicing.

Go to Confession. Ask Our Lady to accompany you. Jesus is waiting for you there. He wants to forgive and heal you. Then He will pour out His Love and Mercy upon you. He will pick you up and put you on His shoulders and carry you home.

For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.  Luke 19:10

Reflection: All Souls Day

Today we celebrate All Souls Day. The Holy Souls in purgatory are those who die in God's grace but are still imperfectly purified. In purgatory, they undergo purification so they may attain the holiness they need to enter heaven, to see the Face of God. 

Our Blessed Mother Mary consoles the souls in purgatory who long to see God. The grace for souls to be cleansed in purgatory comes from God. Purgatory is the place where small sins and attachments are cut. As Pope Francis speaks of the Church as a hospital for the wounded, purgatory is a place where the infection of sin and attachments is removed.

What can you do to help the souls in purgatory?  
Praying for the Holy Souls in purgatory is a spiritual work of mercy. They need our help. Our prayers can release them into Heaven. May all the Holy Souls through the Mercy of God rest in peace. They may be our mothers and fathers, our relatives and friends. When they are finally released, they become our friends in heaven and they never cease to pray for those who helped them. Their prayers shield and protect us from evil. Pray for the souls in purgatory daily. 

What can you do to prepare your soul for eternal life?  
One of the most important ways we can prepare ourselves for eternal life is to go often to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In confession, Jesus purifies, forgives, heals and pours out His grace so that we will have the strength to sin no more. Isn't it better to be purified on earth than have to spend time being purified in purgatory! Think of the confessional as the hospital and the priest as the Divine Physician, our Savior Jesus. Run to confession. Go often and you will receive Divine Mercy which will help you remain in the state of grace. 

Jesus dictated the Message of Divine Mercy to Saint Faustina. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Divine Mercy Novena, meditate on the Passion of Jesus and pray the Prayer of Saint Gertrude for souls to be released from purgatory.

Diary of Saint Faustina 1738 The Lord said to me, Enter into Purgatory often, because they need you there. O my Jesus, I understand the meaning of these words which You are speaking to me, but first let me enter the treasury of Your Mercy. 

From the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world.

Our Lord dictated the following prayer to Saint Gertrude the Great to release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory each time it is said.

Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

O Mary, Mother of God, we offer you our prayers, works, sorrows and sufferings to release the Holy Souls in Purgatory though the intercession of Saint Gertrude and Saint Faustina.  May you carry these prayers to Jesus, your Beloved Son.

Reflection: All Saints Day

Today we honor all the saints. A saint is a model and example for us to follow. A saint reflects the holiness of God by living with heroic virtue, boundless love and total faith in God.

The Communion of Saints continually intercede for us to the Father. In order to honor the memory of all the unnamed saints, we recall their example on a special Feast Day Mass, All Saints Day, to celebrate the lives and witness of those who have died and gone before us into the Presence of the Lord.

The saints are our friends. If you are named after a saint, that saint is your patron, who you can call upon in your need, just as a special friend. If you do not have the name of a saint, choose a saint whose life inspires you and ask that saint to be your patron. Read the lives of the saints. Many had great sufferings but they endured them with faith, hope and love. They kept their eyes fixed on Jesus. They teach us how to do the same. Saints help us carry our crosses. They walk with us on our life's journey and they are ready to intercede for us when we ask.

You may feel close to a number of saints, "a great a cloud of witnesses." Call upon your friends in heaven. Ask them to help you pray and grow in virtue. Desire to become a saint by staying close to Jesus and the Sacraments, especially through the Mass, the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation and through devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary. She always leads us to Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, all the Angels and the Communion of Saints, we call upon you as a great cloud of witnesses to help us each day and to pray for us and all those we pray for.

Reflection: The Angel of Peace

In 1916, one year before the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia. The Angel came to prepare the children for the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917.

During the third apparition, the Angel came in dazzling beauty, holding in his left hand a chalice, and in his right hand over the chalice. Drops of blood were falling from the host into the chalice. Leaving the host and the chalice suspended in mid-air, the angel prostrated himself touching the ground with his forehead.

Then the Angel said the following prayer three times:

"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!"

The Angel then rose and took the chalice and host into his hands. He gave the host to Lucia and the contents of the chalice 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."

The Angel taught them to pray this prayer of reparation:

"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."

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 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 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.

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

The three shepherd children were consumed with zeal to make their lives a sacrifice. Little Francisco and Jacinta died very young and are now canonized saints. Lucia became a sister and lived until an old age. She is now Blessed Lucia. She was given the mission to tell the world about Our Lady of Fatima and her messages.

Meditation to the "hidden God"
Go to Eucharistic adoration or sit before the tabernacle often. Ask Jesus to grant you the desire to spend time in silent adoration. Ask Jesus to penetrate your heart with His Love that you may be consumed with zeal to offer sacrifices and make reparation for the offenses against Him. As you sit with the Lord, give Him your crosses and sufferings and ask Him to help you carry them. Ask Jesus to give you strength and hope. Then be still and open your heart to receive His Love and Peace  

Our Lady of Fatima, Saint Francisco, Saint Jacinta and Blessed Lucia, pray for us and all those for whom we pray through this ministry.

Reflection: Pope Saint John Paul II, pray for us!

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Pope Saint John Paul II. Let us pray to him and ponder our Blessed Mother Mary as he did that we may say to her, Totus Tuus (Latin Totally yours).

"Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother. Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior. Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life. Replace it with yourself. Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always."  Saint Pope John Paul II

On October 22, 1978, Pope John Paul II began his pontificate with these words:

“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.” 

The witness of his life and the words he spoke in his many homilies, speeches, and encyclicals are more relevant today than ever. John Paul II had a powerful influence on the Church and on the world. Let us pray to Saint John Paul II for all families and for our priests, who were so dear to his heart. So many vocations to the priesthood came through the powerful witness of Pope John Paul II. Let us pray to him that an abundance of vocations will be nurtured and born in our families. Let us ask him to help us be unafraid and to "Open wide the doors for Christ" for our families and for all those for whom we pray.

I was blessed to attend his Canonization on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014. It was a grace more than I could have ever imagined. From the time he became Pope, I always felt a closeness to him. I have come to know him as a personal intercessor for my family. The unexpected way it unfolded for me to go to Rome, I believe that he invited me to his Canonization.

When I was in Saint Peter's Square, I took this photo of the image of Mary holding Jesus titled Mater Ecclestae (Latin Mary, Mother of the Church). After the attempt was made on John Paul's life, he looked around Saint Peter's Square and saw there was no image of Mary. He had this image painted there. Totus Tuus, Totally yours, was the way he lived his life, totally for Mary.

Mary always leads us to her Beloved Son Jesus. I think about John Paul and how much I love him. I know he is with me. I love his writings on the Gospel of Life, Love, Theology of the Body, Suffering, the Rosary and the Dignity and Vocation of Women because they draw me into the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

We entrust all the names we have received and all the names we will receive to Mary, Mother of the Church. We thank Jesus for giving His Mother to us.  Jesus we trust in You.

Our Lady of Czestochowa and Saint Luke, the Evangelist

Today is the feast day of Saint Luke the Evangelist. He is well known as the writer of one of the four books of the Gospels. It is less known that he was a painter. Legend attributes the painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa to Saint Luke, the Evangelist.

It is thought that the original and first Black Madonna to be made into an icon came after Saint Luke the Evangelist experienced an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and painted her. While painting the image, it is said that the Holy Virgin related to Saint Luke the life of Jesus which he later incorporated into the Gospel of Saint Luke in the New Testament.

He painted a portrait of Our Lady of Czestochowa on the cedar wood table at which she had taken her meals. Saint Helena, the Queen-Mother of Emperor Constantine was said to have located the portrait during her visit to the Holy Land and to have brought it to Constantinople in the fourth century. After remaining there for five centuries, it was transferred in royal dowries until it made its way to Poland, and the possession of Saint Ladislaus in the fifteenth century.

The legend continues: During Ladislaus' time, the image was damaged during a siege, by a Tartar arrow, "inflicting a scar on the throat of the Blessed Virgin." In 1430, Hussites stole and vandalized the precious image, breaking it into three pieces. One of the robbers is said to have drawn his sword, struck the image and inflicted two deep gashes. While preparing to inflict a third gash, he fell to the ground and writhed in agony until his death. The two slashes on the cheek of the Blessed Virgin, together with the previous injury to the throat, have always reappeared, despite repeated attempts to repair them.

Many miracles were worked by Our Lady of Czestochowa. In more recent times, the Czestochowa Madonna has also been acknowledged for her protection of and cooperation with the Polish nation. Saint Pope John Paul II of Poland had a personal devotion and prayed often before her. He called the writings of Saint Luke the Gospel of Mercy.

Our Lady of Czestochowa, Saint Luke and Saint Pope John Paul II, pray for us and all those for whom we pray through this ministry.

Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun

On this day, we celebrate the 102st anniversary of the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the shepherd children and the Miracle of the Sun.

Our Lady appeared from May to October, 1917. News of Fatima spread more and more when people learned through the children that a miracle 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 to Our Lady: "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.