Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, parents of our Blessed Mother Mary. They nurtured Mary and taught her how to listen and respond to God's request with faith:  "Let it be done to me according to Your Word."

Their example of faith gave Mary the courage to stand at the Foot of the Cross as her Beloved Son was crucified. They are examples and models for all parents and for all married couples. Their heroism and holiness set the atmosphere for Mary.

The Scriptures were central to their family. Through the Word of God, Mary developed a strong character to make decisions, a continuous practice of prayer, devotion to the laws of her faith, steadiness in moments of crisis, and devotion to her relatives.

Saint Anne is the patron saint of mothers, grandmothers and pregnant women. Devotion to her was at the beginning of this prayer ministry. The Novena to Saint Anne had a powerful impact on the pregnancy and birth of Lily Grace because our family, our parish community and beyond were praying the Novena to Saint Anne that this precious baby would have abundant life. She is fourteen years old now. Her life is the fruit of prayer. The prayers were answered in the gift of this child who brings love and joy to everyone she meets.

Good Saint Anne, mother of her who is our life, our sweetness and our hope, pray to her for us and obtain our request.  Good Saint Anne, pray for us.  Jesus, Mary, Anne

"Joachim and Ann, how blessed and spotless a couple! You will be known by the fruit you have born, as the Lord says: By their fruits you will know them. The conduct of your life pleased God and was worthy of your daughter. For by the chaste and holy life you led together, you have fashioned a jewel of virginity: she who remained a virgin before, during and after giving birth. She alone for all time would maintain her virginity in mind and soul as well as in body." Saint John Damascene, Early Church Father and Doctor of the Church

Good Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, pray for us and for all those for whom we pray.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites. He pleaded with Mary for some special sign of her protection. 

On July 16, 1251, she designated the scapular as the special mark of her maternal love. Mary told him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment, a garment of grace. It symbolizes her special protection. She calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the Gospel call to prayer and penance, a call that Mary models in a splendid way.

Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is worldwide, and most Catholics are familiar with the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Brown Scapular. When Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock and gave him the scapular, she said: "This will be for you and for all Carmelites the privilege, that he who dies in this will not suffer eternal fire." The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was instituted for the Carmelites in 1332, and extended to the whole Church by Benedict XIII in 1726.

Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” While Teresa was in a crisis, her mother died. Afflicted and lonely, Teresa appealed to the Blessed Virgin to be her mother.

Saint John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison.

Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion, she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life, she frequently spoke of Mary.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, protect us and all those for whom we pray.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin and Patron of consecrated virgins, the environment and ecology. Kateri was born near the town of Auriesville, New York, in the year 1656. Her mother was a Catholic and her father was a Mohawk warrior. 

When she was four years old, her mother died of smallpox. The disease also attacked Kateri and left scars on her face and affected her eyesight. She was often ridiculed by others. She was adopted by her two aunts and an uncle. As a teenager, she converted and was baptized at the age of twenty under the hostility of her family and tribe. 

She suffered greatly for her faith, was treated as an outcast, but never wavered in it. She ran away to a new Christian colony of Indians in Canada where she lived a life dedicated to prayer, penances, teaching children about the faith and caring for the sick and aged. In 1679, Kateri made a vow of perpetual virginity, meaning that she would remain unmarried and totally devoted to Christ for the rest of her life.

Her health deteriorated rapidly due in part to the penances she inflicted on herself. Father Cholonec encouraged her to take better care of herself but she laughed and continued with her "acts of love." She died in 1680 at the age of twenty-four. Devotion to Saint Kateri led to the establishment of Native American ministries in Catholic Churches all over the United States.

Kateri became known as the "Lily of the Mohawks." She loved the Rosary and carried it around her neck always. She was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and to Jesus Crucified.

People enjoyed being with her because they felt the presence of God. One time, a priest asked why they gathered around Kateri in church. They told him that they felt close to God when Kateri prayed. They said that her face changed when she was praying. It became full of beauty and peace, as if she were looking at God's face.

I have felt a connection in prayer with Kateri ever since we began praying for baby Lily Grace at the beginning of this ministry when I discovered she was known as Lily of the Mohawks. I feel even more connected with her because of her great love for Jesus in the Eucharist and Mary and the Rosary.

Novena to Saint Kateri
Kateri, favored child and Lily of the Mohawks, I come to seek your intercession in my present need: (State your intention here) I admire the virtues which adorned your soul: love of God and neighbor, humility, obedience, patience, purity and the spirit of sacrifice. Help me to imitate your example in my state of life. Through the goodness and mercy of God, Who has blessed you with so many graces which led you to the true faith and to a high degree of holiness, pray to God for me and help me.

Obtain for me a very fervent devotion to the Holy Eucharist so that I may love Holy Mass as you did and receive Holy Communion as often as I can. Teach me also to be devoted to my crucified Savior as you were, that I may cheerfully bear my daily crosses for love of Him Who suffered so much for love of me. Most of all I beg you to pray for me that I may avoid sin, lead a holy life and save my soul. Amen.

In Thanksgiving to God for the graces bestowed upon Kateri: (Recite the following prayers) Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be...(3 times)

Saint Kateri, pray for us and for all the families we pray for through this ministry.

Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower.

They were married at midnight between July 12 and July 13, 1858. Louis designed a marriage medallion for Zelie with the Biblical pictures of Sarah and Tobias on one side with the date on the other side and the initials of their names. symbolizing the coming together of two families.

Their marriage was one of love, as well as suffering. They desired to have many children for the Glory of God. In their openness to the gift of life, they had nine children, five of whom entered religious life. They lost four children at a young age.

The mission of their lives was to serve God. They lived modestly, reached out to help the poor and needy and led daily prayers in their home. Zelie died of breast cancer at the age of 45. Louis suffered greatly and had a three year stay in a psychiatric hospital. Through all their trials, they were devoted to a life of family and prayer.

God created man in His image, in the Divine Image, He created him; male and female, He created them. Genesis 1:27

The beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage is reflected in their lives of holiness, sanctity, prayer and good works. They are powerful intercessors for marriage and family life through their examples of the fidelity and faith in the married love of a man and woman. They were canonized saints on October 18, 2015.

We live in a culture which undermines holiness and the sacredness of life and marriage. Let us turn to them for their powerful intercession.

Saints Louis and Zelie, intercede for all families and pray for us and all the intentions we receive through this ministry and all those we hold in our hearts.

St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us!

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Maria Goretti (1890-1902), Virgin and Martyr.

Maria led a life of heroic virtue. She lived a brief life for God with fidelity, fortitude and forgiveness.

Heroic virtues are the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity and the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude.

When Maria's purity was being threatened, she had the courage to choose death. She was stabbed fourteen times. Before she died, she forgave her attacker, a neighbor, Allesandro.

Maria had a pure heart and she kept her body pure.

Allesandro was sent to prison for her death. One night, Maria appeared to him in his prison cell and smiled at him. She was surrounded by lilies, the flower symbolic of purity. She handed him fourteen lilies, one at a time. From that moment, he was converted and his heart was filled with peace. After serving his sentence, he lived in a Capuchin monastery, working in the garden. He asked forgiveness of Maria's mother and he went with her to Christmas Mass. There, he acknowledged his sin and asked forgiveness from God and the community. Forty years later, on June 24, 1950, Maria was canonized at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Alessandro attended her canonization. His heart was converted, a miraculous fruit of Maria's life of forgiveness!

Have you experienced a deep hurt? Do you find it difficult to forgive? 

Jesus gave the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins. Go to confession and talk to the priest, who is Jesus, in Persona Christi. Tell him about the wound in your heart, your deep hurt, tell him you want to forgive and ask him to help you.

Saint Maria Goretti can help you forgive. Pray to her for the person who hurt you. When you pray in this way, God expands your heart with love and peace and He gives you a forgiving heart.

Official Prayer to Saint Maria Goretti
"Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth, with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen."

O my Jesus, You gave Saint Maria Goretti the crown of martyrdom; help us to be unafraid, to be faithful to Your teachings of fidelity and forgiveness with her courageous witness and give us an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude.

Saint Maria Goretti, Little Mercy Saint, pray for us! 

Reflection: If only I can touch His cloak, I shall be cured.

In the Gospel of Matthew, there was a woman who was afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had grown worse and worse and had spent all her money seeking help from doctors but continued to suffer greatly.

Jesus rose and followed him, and so did His disciples. A woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak. She said to herself, "If only I can touch His cloak, I shall be cured." Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, "Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you." And from that hour, the woman was cured. Matthew 9:18-22

As soon as she touched Jesus, He looked around to see who touched Him and she was immediately healed.  

Are you afraid to approach Jesus? 
Do not be afraid. Ponder what the woman did. She heard about Jesus and wanted to be cured. She had faith that she would be cured if she could touch His clothes. She touched Him and was immediately healed.

Has it been a long time since you have been to confession? 
Jesus is waiting there for you. Go immediately to the Throne of Grace and tell the priest everything. Lay your burdens and sins down before Him. Tell Jesus you want to be cured. Have faith that He will heal you. Open your heart to receive God's healing Mercy and Sanctifying Grace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Jesus said, "Courage daughter, your faith has saved you." Matthew 9:22

The woman had an encounter with Jesus and she was healed and forever changed. Jesus wants to have an encounter with you. When you confess your sins and tell the priest your miseries, Jesus sends His power upon you through the Absolution the priest gives you. Immediately, sanctifying grace comes down upon you and Jesus heals you of your sins, burdens and afflictions. Come to Him in faith...

Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

God bless America

Mary, the Immaculate Conception, you are the Patroness of the United States of America. We call upon your powerful intercession on this day, the 4th of July 2021, to restore the protection and sanctity of life and marriage and to defend our freedoms of religion and conscience. We ask in the Name of your Beloved Son Jesus.

In our prayers for our country through this ministry, we pray for families, for the sanctity of all life, for the dignity of every human person and for vocations to marriage, the priesthood and consecrated life, which are born and nurtured in families.

From the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel of the United States 
Opus Sanctorum Angelorum

O glorious Guardian Angel of the United States, to whom God has entrusted the care of our beloved country, we honor you and thank you for the care and protection you have given to this great nation from the first moment of its inception.

O powerful Angel Guardian, whose watchful glance encompasses this vast land from shore to shore, we know that our sins have grieved our Lord and God and marred the beauty of our heritage. Lead us to a deep conversion, so that we may return to the embrace of His merciful love!

O Holy Angel, obtain for us through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven before the throne of God the graces we need to overcome the forces of evil so rampant in our beloved land. Help us, our God-given protector and friend, to respond wholeheartedly to the urgent pleas of the Mother of God at Fatima. Assist us to offer the prayers and sacrifices necessary to bring peace and goodness to our nation. We want to make you known and loved throughout our land, so that docile to your inspirations we may know, love and serve our Lord more faithfully and so become once more "one Nation under God." Amen.

Magnificat in America 
Cardinal Francis Spellman +1967 Archbishop of New York

America, Our America! Hold to the Vision of Mary, Mary Immaculate. Her glory fills the earth. She is our race. Its solitary boast. She, alone without sin, keeps the doom of wrath from thee, Who art defending Her glory. She, conqueror of evil, conquers evil for thee, Who art resisting evil.

America, Our America! Pray always to Mary, Mary Immaculate. She, the Mother to nations. She, the Mother of Christ, The Lord of all nations. She guards them and guides, subduing their hates, inspiring their spirits. She mourns for the prodigals, as children mourn, torn by their treasons.

America, Our America! Give thy heart to Mary, Mary Immaculate. Join Her prayer of praise. All Heaven attending, for our land that is free. Sing thou Her song of joy, all nations listening, giving thanks to God. Sing thou the song of souls, The Magnificat of Mary, The Magnificat of America.

America the Beautiful

First Saturday Devotion

Let us pray to Our Lady of Fatima and ask her intercession to unite our families in love and to heal our relationships. She asked us to practice the First Saturday Devotion. 

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

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 wants us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, a consecration in which we make a complete surrender of self to our Mother, promising her that we will:  Pray 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

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 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 entrust our nation and the whole world to Our Blessed Mother's care and guidance. Her message at Fatima is that of world peace, the conversion of Russia and reconciliation to God. May all men and women heed the call of love and peace of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

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