Sunday, January 01, 2017

Signal Graces

     Praying the Rosary causes our souls to become receptive to signal graces. Signal graces are promised to those who pray the Rosary regularly. God gives us graces and blessings every day. Signal graces are specific to our state in life, according to our vocation. These graces are events or signs, divinely assisting us in making decisions that will lead us closer to God. There are no coincidences. Doors are supernaturally opened and closed as we journey through this life. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He has a perfect unique plan for each of us. This perfect plan, our vocation, may be marriage, consecrated single life, the priesthood~for men, and religious such as Brother, Monk or Deacon and religious vocations for women such as Nun or Sister. Signal graces are important in discernment of each Christian's vocation. Additionally, we may be called to particular challenges or suffering such as chronic illness, loss, poverty or loneliness. Acceptance  of these less than pleasurable events as God's Will leads us closer to Christ. The life of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus is filled with examples of how, through her suffering, she became more holy and closer to Jesus. How many signal graces do we overlook because our souls are closed to the perfect, Holy Will of God? Prayer and obedience to God unveil these graces. Our Blessed Mother is always ready to deliver God's graces to her children, the followers of Jesus. Scripture tells how Mary lived, completely surrendering to God's Will.
     While we are praying the Rosary, our egos are set aside. We allow our souls to be immersed in the life, miracles, teachings and virtues of Jesus. This leads to the blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
     The angel Gabriel said to Mary "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women" Luke, 1:28
     Elizabeth spoke these words to Mary: "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." Luke 1:42
    May this holy and beautiful prayer always be the sweetest song in our hearts:
Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen