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. 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.

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.

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 fifteen year old who brings love to everyone she meets.

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 to Norah 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. 

You can talk to and thank your Guardian Angel, your lifelong friend and companion for the journey.

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.

 

Feast of 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, in his Gospel, 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.

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." Matthew 2:12-15 

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 and obey God.

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.

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." Matthew 2:16-18 

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.

The Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Today is the Feast Day to honor the Holy Family: Jesus, the Divine Son of God, His Blessed Mother Mary, and His foster father Blessed Saint Joseph.

The Feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our own families too. The main purpose of the Feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families, and for domestic life in general. Our family life becomes sanctified when we live the life of the Church within our homes. This is called the "domestic church" or the "church in miniature." St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to make each home a "family church," and in doing so, we sanctify the family unit by making Christ and his Church the center of family and individual life by reading Scripture regularly, praying daily, attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and imitating the actions of the Holy Family, all done together as a family unit.

Saint Pope John Paul II Prayer from the Angelus Message for the Feast of the Holy Family 2004

"May the Holy Family, who had to overcome many painful trials, watch over all the families in the world, especially those who are experiencing difficult situations. May the Holy Family also help men and women of culture and political leaders so that they may defend the institution of the family, based on marriage, and so that they may sustain the family as it confronts the grave challenges of the modern age! During this Year of the Eucharist may Christian families find the light and strength to be united and to grow as the 'domestic church' especially in their diligent participation in the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday."  

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 533-534  

The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowship with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life:

The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us. . . A lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character... A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the "Carpenter's Son", in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work. . . To conclude, I want to greet all the workers of the world, holding up to them their great pattern their brother who is God.

The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total consecration to a mission that flows from his Divine Sonship: "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's work?" Mary and Joseph did not understand these words, but they accepted them in faith. Mary "kept all these things in her heart" during the years Jesus remained hidden in the silence of an ordinary life.

1 John 3:1-2 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

O Holy Family, we consecrate to you the names and intentions we receive through this ministry for all these families and their needs.  Jesus we trust in You.

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.

"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." Luke 8-14 

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 secret of Christmas is in the manger, a simple but sacred place, in Bethlehem. 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.

Reflection: Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared, and the soul felt its worth.

As we prepare our hearts and await the birth of the Baby Jesus, do not be afraid or discouraged by the darkness in the world. Today there so much disregard for the sanctity of life. It can seem like the darkness is overwhelming.  

Be not afraid... 

Jesus came 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 the beautiful Christmas song, O Holy Night.

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, especially life in the womb, 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.

Reflection: Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste...

Mary traveled to be with her cousin Elizabeth. Imagine the joy both women experienced in sharing the miraculous events that they were both "with child."

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:39

Mary went "in haste" to Elizabeth. She knew what the Lord had asked her to do, to be the Mother of God. She knew her mission. 

The Lord has given you a mission too. In prayer, ask Him to reveal it to you.

Elizabeth greeted Mary with the words, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Luke 1:42

Mary went to serve Elizabeth and she teaches us how to serve one another. John the Baptist leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb. John sensed the Presence of Jesus. Two women met. Elizabeth seemed to be too old to have a child, but she was destined to bear a son John; Mary, seemed to be not ready to have a child, but she was destined to bear a Son Jesus.

Meditation:
On this day, find a quiet place to ponder the Visitation and the love and friendship of Mary and Elizabeth as they share with one another what God has done for them. Invite Mary to come into your home and visit with you. As you spend time with Mary, share with her all the things that are on your heart, your joys, desires, hopes, fears, sorrows and sufferings. She is your Mother. Ask her to help you persevere in prayer, having faith and expectant hope as she does. Ask Mary to help you know what mission the Lord has given you and ask her to guide you along the way. As your visit with Mary draws to a close, invite her to come back to your home. Then join with Mary in a song of praise to the Lord, making her Magnificat, your own. Take Mary's hand as she draws you to Jesus. In the Presence of Jesus, receive His love, mercy and peace.

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.  Romans 12:12

The O Antiphons of Advent

In the final week of Advent, our attention is fixed on the messianic promises proclaimed by the ancient prophets of Israel.

Through the O Antiphons, Jesus is invoked by various titles, mainly taken from the prophet Isaiah. The sequence progresses from the beginning, before creation, to Bethlehem. Each O Antiphon begins with an invocation of the expected Messiah, followed by praise of him under one of his particular titles. Each ends with a petition for God's people, relevant to the title by which he is addressed, and the cry for him to "Come". 

The seven titles attributed to Jesus are Wisdom (Sapientia in Latin), Ruler of the House of Israel (Adonai), Root of Jesse (Radix), Key of David (Clavis), Rising Dawn (Oriens), King of the Gentiles (Rex). and Emmanuel.

December 17th: O Sapientia (Is. 11:2-3; 28:29): "O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth." 

December 18th: O Adonai (Isaiah 11:4-5; 33:22): "O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power." 

December 19th: O Radix Jesse (Isaiah 11:1, 10): "O stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay." 

December 20th: O Clavis David (Isaiah 9:6; 22:22): "O key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." 

December 21st: O Oriens (Isaiah 9:1): "O Rising Sun, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." 

December 22nd: O Rex Gentium (Isaiah 2:4; 9:5): "O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay." 

December 23rd: O Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) : "O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Savior. O come and save us, Lord, our God." 

Today the O Antiphons are most familiar to us in the hymn "O come, O come Emmanuel". Each verse of the hymn parallels one of the antiphons. In addition to their use in the Liturgy of the Hours and the gospel acclamation, they have been popularly incorporated into church devotions and family prayer.

O Come O Come Emmanuel 

Jesus, help us to prepare our hearts for Your birth. Blessed Mother Mary, bring comfort and peace. We ask the intercession of the Holy Family for all those for whom we pray.

 

Reflection: Trust in Jesus

Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for Your Name's sake, You will lead and guide me.  Psalm 31:3-4

Once I had an experience which was very stressful. A holy priest told me to take my rosary in my hand and on each bead, pray, "Jesus I trust in You." I have a beautiful rosary given to me by a dear friend in Christ. The beads on this rosary are small miraculous medals. This rosary is so precious to me. I pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day with it. I did what the priest told me to do. Since then, I have added my own prayer. On every miraculous medal, I pray, 

"Jesus I trust in You. Help me to trust You more deeply." 

The stressful situation resolved itself in ways I could have never imagined and Jesus did help me to believe and trust Him more deeply. Maybe you can try this way of prayer too. Jesus will draw you in close and He will help you to believe and trust Him more deeply.

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.  From the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

When we turn to Mary praying the Rosary, she always draws us to her Beloved Son Jesus.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Words spoken by Our Lady to Saint Catherine Laboure to be used on the Miraculous Medal

O Mary, the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Patroness of the Unborn and of the Americas 

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

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.

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

Saint Juan Diego, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Juan Diego. He deeply loved the Holy Eucharist. By special permission of the Bishop, he received Holy Communion three times a week, a highly unusual occurrence during those times. Saint Pope John Paul II praised Saint Juan Diego for his simple faith nourished by catechesis and pictured him as a model of humility for all of us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe spoke these words to Juan Diego and she speaks these words to us.

Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of your joy? Are you not in the fold of my mantle, in the cradle of my arms?

Prayer to Saint Juan Diego
You who were chosen by Our Lady of Guadalupe as an instrument to show your people and the world that the way of Christianity is one of love, compassion, understanding, values, sacrifices, repentance of our sins, appreciation and respect for God’s creation, and most of all one of humility and obedience; You whom we know is now in the Kingdom of the Lord and close to our Mother; Be our angel and protect us, stay with us as we struggle in this modern life often not knowing where to set our priorities; Help us to pray to our God to obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit and use them for the good of humanity and the good of our Church, through the Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Heart of Jesus. Amen

Saint Juan Diego, pray for us, for all the little ones and families for whom we pray.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

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. It is in this sacred place where the Blessed Mother Mary 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, for the protection of Religious Freedom, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Conscience 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: Seeking the Lost Sheep

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

"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search for the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." Matthew 18:12-14

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

"Like a shepherd, He feeds His flock; in His arms, He gathers the lambs, carrying them in His bosom, leading the ewes with care." Isaiah 40:11

When we turn away from the Lord, we go astray. Jesus never stops looking for us. He searches for us even when we don't want to be found. Then, at just the right moment, Jesus makes His Presence known to us. He desires to bring us back and heal us.

"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

Do you know any lost sheep, someone who has strayed off or walked away from the practice of the faith? How can you find them and bring them home?

Pray for them without ceasing.
Ask Our Lady to intercede for them.
Trust in God's love for them.
Invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten you.
Listen to why they walked away.
Invite them to Eucharistic adoration.
Gently share your faith with them.
Share a personal witness/testimony.
Invite them to go to Mass with you.
Give them a good Catholic book or movie
Never give up praying for them to return.

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

Reflection: Jesus said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher and go home."

In the Gospel of Luke, the paralytic was healed as a result of the faith of his friends. When Jesus was teaching, many gathered together to listen and "the power of the Lord was with Him for healing". Luke 5:17

Some men came bringing to Him a paralytic on a stretcher. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the tiles in the roof above Him. After they had broken through, they let down the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "As for you, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:20

What an amazing faith the paralytic's friends had! What a gift to have friends like that and to be a friend like that! These friends had such love for their friend that they would go to the great length of opening up the roof to bring him to Jesus.

Do you know someone who needs healing or someone who is far away from Jesus, maybe a friend or a loved one? 

Consider what you could do to bring that person to Jesus. Sometimes, it is simply an invitation. The most important thing you can do is pray for that person. God will hear your prayers. He will answer them, sometimes right away, but most often, God waits. At just the right time, He will move. We are God's workers, but the growth is God's work.

"What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who causes the growth. The one who plants and one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Jesus performed a miracle for the paralytic because his friend's had faith and acted on it. All acts of faith and love begin with prayer in the heart.

Jesus said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher and go home." Luke 5:24  He rose, picked up his stretcher immediately, and went away glorifying God. All the people were astonished and they glorified God, saying, "We have seen incredible things today." Luke 5:26

The paralytic was physically healed but Jesus did even more. He healed him spiritually by forgiving his sins. Jesus has authority to do this and He does more than any of us can imagine!  Jesus wants to do this for you too and for those you pray for. Your faith makes a difference! When you pray, God's heart is moved. Never give up or become discouraged. The Lord is near. He will act when He desires. Be patient and wait; pray and persevere.

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12

Pray, pray, pray. Prayer shakes the Heart of God. Prayer is a spiritual work of mercy. Ask Jesus to stretch out His hand and heal you or your loved ones. Ask Him to increase your faith and pray with the confident trust of a child.

"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 15:12-17

Rise, pick up your stretcher and run to Jesus!

Jesus is your friend and He is waiting to hear from you...
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Saint Andrew Christmas Anticipation 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.  

Reflection: Advent, the time of waiting 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 quier and still. Gaze at the image of the Madonna with Child awaiting the birth of Jesus and ponder like Mary...watch...listen...pray...

Mary invites you to be still. to listen and ponder as God speaks to you during this beautiful season of Advent, as you wait and 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 to Jesus and Mary, be still and rest awhile...

The Miraculous Medal + St. 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 for all the intentions we receive through this prayer ministry! 

A Mass in thanksgiving for you...

In thanksgiving, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered monthly for the John 10:10 prayer partners and prayer intentions. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for you and all your prayers. The Lord receives all our prayers and little offerings and places them where they are needed. Prayer is a spiritual work of mercy.

There is so much to be thankful for: God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Blessed Mother Mary, the Gift of Life, God's Loving Providence, Family, Special Friends, the Beauty of God's Creation, our Crosses (which draw us close to Jesus and Mary), the Sacraments and our Beloved Priests.

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."

The Lord is good to all, compassionate toward all Your works. All Your works give You thanks, Lord and Your faithful bless You. Psalm 145:9-10

Our Blessed Virgin Mary is Mother of the Eucharist. She offered her life and gave her Fiat through 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

Let us give thanks to the Lord and ponder all He has done for us, especially in giving Himself to us in the Eucharist and giving His Mother Mary as our Mother.

The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

Reflection: The fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall

The writing is on the wall.

Have you ever wondered where this expression comes from? It comes from today's First Reading from Chapter 5 of the Book of the Prophet Daniel. King Belshazzar held a great banquet. He used the gold and silver vessels which his father had taken from the house of God. The king, his lords, his wives and entertainers were drinking wine from the vessels and praising their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. The banquet was an orgy.

"Suddenly, opposite the lampstand, the fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the the wall of the king's palace." Daniel 5:5

I recall being at Mass a few years ago when this was the First Reading. A beautiful priest spoke of this scene during his homily. The priest said, "When things are unraveling and spinning out of control, as we see in our world today in so many ways, God will say, Enough!"

God will intervene.

In the Book of Daniel, the human hand, writing on the wall was God. The king was terrified when he saw the hand. He knew about the prophet Daniel and promised him many things if he would interpret the words the hand wrote. Daniel told the king he did not want his gifts but he would interpret the writing.

MENE God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
TEKEL You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
PERES Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

Daniel said to the king: "You rebelled against the Lord in heaven...But the God in whose hand is your very breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down." Daniel 5:23

We see so much unraveling in our world...persecutions, terrorism, hatred, violence, war, assaults on the sacred gift of human life, on the family and on marriage.

God will intervene. 

Be not afraid. Trust in Him, be patient, persevere in prayer and spread His love through good works and deeds of mercy.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Don't depend on yourself. Cry out to God. Run from evil. Receive the Eucharist daily or as often as you can. Run to the Sacrament of Reconciliation where you will receive Mercy and healing. Stop into an adoration chapel or commit to a regular hour of Eucharistic Adoration, a special date between you and Jesus. Entrust yourself to Our Lady. Put God first in your life. Check yourself by God's Word. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Rest in God's love.

Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and the Presentation of Mary in the Temple

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 Mary in the Temple

Today is also the Memorial of the Presentation of 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 by the Holy Spirit to call their daughter Mary. The meanings of 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: Jesus wept

Jesus is our hope, our refuge and our shield. He wants to give us His peace. When we turn away from Him, we lose our peace. When we turn back to Him, His peace comes upon us.

"As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, He saw the city and He wept over it, saying 'If this day, you only knew what makes for peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you, when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.'" Luke 19:41-44

"If this day, you only knew what makes for peace..."

Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy. Diary of Saint Faustina 300

When we turn away by sinning, Jesus weeps...

When we turn back to Him, all heaven rejoices...

In the midst of the trials and tribulations of this world, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. Open the door and invite Him in.

Come to the Throne of Mercy where Jesus is waiting for you.  He longs for you. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus, forgives, heals and pours out sanctifying grace upon you. Turn to Him and you will know His peace.

Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the shepherd children and told them to pray the rosary daily for peace. Let us pray for peace in the world, in our families and in our hearts. Let us entrust our lives and our families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This is the time of great Mercy. Come...

Reflection: What do you want Me to do for you?

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by. He inquired what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Luke 18:35-38

Then the crowd rebuked the blind man and tried to silence him, but he persisted in calling out to Jesus. When Jesus heard him cry out, He stopped and asked that the man be brought to Him.

And when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see." Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you." He immediately received his sight and followed Him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God." Luke 18:40-43

Meditation:

Imagine you are in the crowd and you witness this scene. A blind man hears that Jesus is coming and he calls out to Him, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me."  

You see and hear the crowd trying to get him to stop speaking. Has anyone tried to silence you when you are speaking?  Talk to Jesus and tell Him what that was like for you.

As the blind man persisted, Jesus stops and says, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 

Imagine the blind man's surprise! Jesus recognized him!

As you ponder this scene, Jesus turns and speaks to YOU the same words, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  

Call out and speak to Jesus now, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." 

Jesus is waiting for you. Tell Him what you want Him to do for you.

When you have a personal encounter with Jesus, you are changed forever. Sometimes, people will try to silence you or stop you from turning to Jesus. Do not listen to their rebukes. Cry out to Jesus. Turn to Him and tell Him what you want Him to do for you.

Jesus is calling YOU to an intimate encounter. Can you hear His call? Are you afraid? Do the things of the world make you blind to Him or are you open to see and hear Him call you?

Go to Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus is waiting for you there. He will open your eyes and He will enter your heart. Come away and be still...

Jesus performs many miracles in order to increase faith. Jesus wants each one of us to have a personal encounter with Him. Everything changes when we have an encounter with Jesus. He wants to touch your heart in an intimate way, to meet you personally. When He comes to you, He will increase your faith and He will heal you in ways you could never imagine. Thank and praise Him for what He has done for you.

Listen, as Jesus speaks to YOU: "What do you want Me to do for you?"

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.

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. O Mary, Queen of Peace and Patroness of America, you are our most powerful intercessor..

First Saturday Devotion + Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima appeared between May 13th and October 13th, 1917 to three shepherd children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. 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, violence and uncertainty 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 end. 

"I am the Lady of the Rosary." With these words, the Mother of God identified herself to the shepherd children of Fatima. Repeatedly during her apparitions to the children, she told them to pray the Rosary daily and to pray the Rosary well, meditating 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. 

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. Wearing the scapular daily reminds us of the promise we have made to Mary.

Let us pray to Our Lady of Fatima and ask her intercession to unite our families in love and to heal our relationships. Let us entrust our nation and the whole world to Our Blessed Mother's care and guidance. Her message at Fatima is that of world peace and reconciliation to God. May all men and women heed the call of love and peace of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

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: Say her Rosary every day. Offer the little daily sacrifices that come our way for the conversion of sinners. Make the five Communions of Reparation on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months.  

The First Saturday Devotion is offered with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the five offenses to her Immaculate Heart. 

1. Against the Immaculate Conception (denial or ridicule)

2. Against her perpetual virginity

3. Against her divine maternity (refusing to accept her as the Mother of God and of all mankind)

4. Those who implant in children's hearts, indifference, contempt and hate against our Immaculate Mother

5. Insults directed against her sacred images, displays of indifference or ridicule and infliction of damage to them

The essential elements of the First Saturday Devotion are:

1. Go to confession (can be within 8 days before or after the First Saturday)

2. Receive Holy Communion (if there is no Mass, offer a Spiritual Communion)

3. Pray five decades of the Rosary

4. Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary

Our Lady promised that she will assist all who will practice this devotion the graces they need for salvation at the hour of death. Our Lady's promise is not a guarantee into heaven. Our cooperation with grace is always required.  It should be a life-long devotion as a sign of our devotion to her Immaculate Heart and a desire to make reparation for the blasphemies against her.

Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, we entrust all the names we receive to your loving care.

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?  

One of the spiritual works of mercy is praying for the Holy Souls in purgatory. Offer Masses for the Holy Souls in Purgatory and for your deceased family members and friends. Masses and our prayers can release them into Heaven. They need our help. 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. May all the Holy Souls through the Mercy of God rest in peace.  

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.

What can you do to prepare your soul for eternal life?  

You can prepare yourself for eternal life by going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation often. During 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. 

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, and help us prepare for eternal life.

Reflection: All Saints Day

Today we honor all the saints, known and unknown. 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.

"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." Hebrews 12:1-2 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Litany of Saints - Matt Maher

Reflection: Bartimaeus cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stops and says to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaus, a blind man, the son of Timaus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Mark 10:46-47

Then the crowd rebuked the blind man and tried to silence him, but he persisted in calling out to Jesus. When Jesus heard him cry out, He stopped and asked that the man be brought to Him.

And when he came near, Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to Him replied, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately, he received his sight and followed Him on the way." Mark 10:51-52

Meditation:

Imagine you are in the crowd and you witness this scene. A blind man hears that Jesus is coming and he calls out to Him, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stops and says to Bartimaeus, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 

Then Jesus turns and speaks to YOU the same words, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Call out to Jesus now, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus is waiting for you. 

Are you blinded by the things of the world? 

Are you emotionally blinded? Are you afraid? Do your fears blind your vision? 

Are you intellectually blinded? Do you know your faith?

Are you spiritually blinded? Do you want to see how your sin blinds you?

Tell Jesus what you want Him to do for you. Pour out your heart to Him.
Jesus is speaking to you: "What do you want Me to do for you?"  

Listen in the silence and hear His voice.

Jesus is waiting for you. When you have a personal encounter with Jesus, you are changed forever. Sometimes, people will try to silence you or stop you from turning to Jesus. Do not listen to their rebukes. Cry out to Jesus. Turn to Him and tell Him what you want Him to do for you.

Jesus is calling you to an intimate encounter.  Go and visit a church or chapel and sit in His Presence in Eucharistic Adoration or before the tabernacle. Jesus is waiting for you there. He will open your eyes so you can see and He will enter your heart. Come away and be still...

Jesus performs many miracles in order to increase faith. Jesus wants each one of us to have a personal encounter with Him. He wants to touch your heart in an intimate way, to meet you personally. When He comes to you, He will increase your faith and He will heal you in ways you could never imagine. Thank and praise Him for what He has done for you.

"Come away by yourself to a secluded place and rest awhile." Mark 6:31