His Mercy Shall Not Depart From Thee

      Life's piercing storms cry out for attention, especially at times of personal vulnerability. We are free to rest in the comfort of quiet solitude with Jesus.  Assured of  the intercession of Mary, we never need fear abandonment.  Misfortune may come our way, but Our Lady is always true to her promise, that those who pray the Rosary faithfully shall not be overcome.

"For the mountains shall be moved 

and the hills shall tremble, 

but my mercy shall not depart from thee..."

From Isaiah 54

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

sharing the sweetness

While gathering raspberries with a friend

Delighting in the sweetness of the berries

That somehow did not make it into our baskets

And enjoying sweet mommy memories of our growing children

 

We discovered a charming little guest...

God blessed us with yet another reason to smile

Una Hermosa Mañana

"Desde el Cielo una hermosa mañana
Desde el Cielo una hermosa mañana

La Guadalupana, La Guadalupana,La Guadalupana
 bajó al Tepeyac"
(canción tradicional de la Guadalupana)

¡Gracias a 
Nuestra Santísima Madrecita de Guadalupe!

Imitating God's Love

     Our Heavenly Father's love for us infinitely surpasses any human comprehension. As parents, loving our children is and always will be our unifying priority. Our children are a singular Divine gift. In this role, we are blessed with the sublime obligation to imitate His love for us.

     Awaiting the results of our daughter's medical procedure zapped everything into perspective. The monumental significance of our being with her, united, and peacefully caring for her, undeniably radiated from her countenance. Our God given responsibility to love and protect our children can only be measured in Heavenly terms. Whatever pursuits have captured our attention during this life's journey, we are first and foremost our children's parents. This will never change. 

         God's love letter to us commands us to forgive, love and pray for one another. We are assured by our Almighty Father of the power of intercessory prayer and angelic protection. As Christians, we firmly believe in the eternity of our souls. 

       As events unfolded, beloved and "mommy"  prayer warriors were contacted. Holy men and women of God, deceased family members included, were implored for their intercession. 

        Atheists and nay sayers be cautioned: the supernatural presence of Jesus, Mary and all the angels and saints was intensely tangible throughout this familial crisis. At each moment, no minute detail was untouched by the indefatigable direction of the Holy Spirit as he supernaturally orchestrated every thought, word and action. Catastrophic imaginings and hours of waiting mystically dissolved into gentle seas of grace filled, trusting, gratitude, as hearts were lifted up in tranquil, obedient worship and prayer. Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus forever!

Wood carving of Saint Kateri, 

Saint Anne Shrine, VT

      I recently met an amazingly holy woman. She told me that she was so grateful to God that her children's needs continually drew her heart more intimately into the Sacred Heart of Jesus through adoration and prayer. 

May our most ardent prayer be 

to peacefully and entirely accept and conform ourselves 

to the Will of our Almighty God. 

May all that Our Father sends us, draw our souls safely 

into His eternal embrace! 

The outcome of all spiritual tests belongs to God. 

God is love.

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Fourteenth Promise

     The Fourteenth Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that they are beloved children of Our Blessed Mother, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.  A sweet memory for me is slipping into slumber to the calm voice of my parents or grandparents as they told me one of many favorite bedtime stories. Many are the times I have fallen into a deep sleep while praying the Rosary. At these times, I feel as though our Holy Mother, is comforting my soul by telling me the story of Jesus. With each telling, a new understanding unfolds or a much needed insight is conveyed. Contemplating the life and virtues of Jesus as I pray the Rosary, opens my heart to receive the graces vital to living a Christian life. Surrendering my will to Jesus with childlike faith predisposes me to be showered with the beauty and truth of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

     At that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Who thinkist thou is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven? And Jesus, calling unto Him a little child set him in the midst of them and said "Amen I say to you. Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this Little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. And he that receiveth one such little child in my name receiveth me."

From the Gospel of Matthew

Chapter 18 Verses 1 through 5

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Second Promise

     The second promise of Our Lady to those who faithfully pray the Rosary, is special protection.  Sacred Scripture tells us of Our Heavenly Father's protection of Jesus, Mary and Joseph~ the Holy Family. In today's world, there is a great need for protection of the family.

      Father Patrick Peyton, servant of God, devoted his life to the propagation of devotion to Our Lady through praying the Rosary. He is famous for the saying "The family that prays toegether, stays together." Contemporary families are often crushed by the burden of procuring material posessions and social acceptance. In our culture of instantaneous gratification, there is no room for being still and listening to Jesus. Tranquil surrender to His will is replaced by frenzied and uninhibited free will.  However, many Catholic families have resumed the practice of praying the Rosary together with miraculous results.

     A loved one of mine affectionately remembers listening to Father Peyton's radio program with family members as a child. There is more information about Father Peyton and his work here: 

Apostle to Families~Father Patrick Peyton

Mother's Lessons

Our Blessed Mother

 Earnestly cradled

Within her young heart

 God's love and promises

Mother's lessons

Inspired by the Holy Spirit 

Sculpted Mary's life~and ours

To Jesus through Mary!

 Painting of Saint Anne and the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
Saint Anne Shrine, Isle La Motte, VT

Someone is Praying for Me

     Saint Monica's enduring prayers for her son, Saint Augustine, are memorable. Our Church history reveals the Almighty Father's glorious response to her ardent supplication.

     As Mother Theresa's prayer filled life has taught us, praying the Rosary is "loving Jesus with the heart of Mary". I trust in Jesus and in Our Blessed Mother's constant intercession. All mothers' prayers for their children and loved ones reach Heaven. Upon review of my own life with all of its trials and spiritual upheavals, I have no doubt that someone is praying for me.

A Story of a Mother Praying for Her Children

         My mother recalls that when she was a little girl, there was a woman at Church who she always saw quietly praying her Rosary~before Mass began, and again after Mass. My mother described the woman as being serene and focused, only occasionally glancing to smile briefly at others. My mother often wondered for whom this woman was praying so intently~perhaps she was praying for her children.

     So impressed by this story, I've had my mother tell it to me again. I can almost visualize the quiet praying woman. 

     Recollection of this story occupies my mind more frequently with time. Whenever friends at church converse asking each other to lift our loved ones in prayer, the woman in my mother's story comes to mind. I never actually saw her, yet I have a perception of her~quietly kneeling and completely focused as she devoutly prays her Rosary. 

Who are the Moms?

     Moms are birth moms, adoptive moms, spiritual moms, grand moms, aunts, big sisters, best friends, teachers, mentors, Mother Superiors and Patron Saints. A mom might be the kind person we chatted with while traveling on the train, or someone whom we haven't heard from in a long, long time.

     Our Loving Father cherishes every woman's heartfelt prayers for her children and loved ones. 

Mothers and Prayers

     Our Blessed Mother's constant intercession is a beautiful example of praying throughout all circumstances.

     Watching the late Mother Angelica's facial expression as she prayed the Saint Michael's Chaplet, I realized the power of every determined, praying mom. Birth moms, adoptive moms, spiritual moms, grand moms, aunts, sisters, Mother Superiors and mentors are all women whose prayers are more powerful than we realize. I am sure that the adversary does anything possible to distract, divert and derail the prayers of these most powerful warriors. When we pray we are on the "front lines" of battle. That's why so many times, our best efforts seem to be thwarted by the unexpected. Saint Teresa of Avila advised "In time of sorrow and trouble cease not from the good works of prayer and penance which thou art in the habit of doing, for Satan is striving to make thee uneasy, and then to abandon them: on the contrary, do thou apply thyself thereunto more earnestly than before, and thou shalt see quickly our Lord will come to thy succor."

Prayers and Love

     A dear friend, who has been a Religious Sister since early in her life, shared with us her experience of prayer. She said that her prayers cause her to fall in love with Jesus over and over again. She explained that during her busy days, each time she chooses to take a moment to pray, she is drawn more closely into her loving union with Christ.

     Her countenance was graced with a joyful, golden, peaceful beauty as she described her life of prayer and love!

these little ones

     The month of December is dedicated to the Divine Infancy of Jesus. Our Almighty Father Our timely developmental stages, as we grow intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually, are precious gifts designed by our Creator. The family is a beautiful foundation in which parents teach, protect and nourish their children, as God does for all of us. God has blessed us with a world rich in a variety of beautiful cultures and traditions, for us to harmoniously celebrate and enjoy. Our Holy Father urges us to join him in prayer for an End to Child-Soldiers (general prayer intention). We are also asked to pray for Europe (mission prayer intention) and the people there. 

     "But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea."

Matthew 18:6

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

humbly and obediently

     The month of May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for respect for women (general intention) and for increased devotion to the Holy Rosary (mission intention). We pray that our daughters will be surrounded with beautiful Rosary prayers, and that they may enjoy lives of charity, virtue and love. Let us protect and educate our sisters and daughters to be respected and loved as intended by our Heavenly Father. In all words, actions and intentions may Jesus help us to humbly and obediently emulate Our Blessed Virgin Mary. 

 

"Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, 

the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

he that eateth this bread shall live forever

     The month of April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the Bread of eternal life. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for the small farmers (general prayer intention) and for the African Christians (mission prayer intention). So many of God's children, our brothers and sisters, suffer from spiritual and physical starvation and persecution. Let us never forget to imitate God's compassion in our relationships with others.

    

     "For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live forever."

John 6:56-59

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

selfless generosity

     March is dedicated to Saint Joseph, a simple carpenter who selflessly and generously protected and provided for Jesus and Mary. Unemployment, underemployment, malnutrition, inadequate health care, lack of education, familial discord and economic hardship, plague families worldwide. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for families in difficulty (general prayer intention) and for persecuted Christians (mission prayer intention). Lord, please help us to always reach out with selfless generosity to our brethren in need.

     "When thou shalt pour out thy soul to the hungry and shall satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise up in darkness and thy darkness shall be as the noonday. And the Lord will give thee rest continually, and fill thy soul with brightness, and deliver thy bones and thou shalt be like a watered garden and like a fountain of water whose waters shall not fail."

Isaiah 58:10-11

fortified by Divine Love

      The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. Fortified by divine love,  Jesus, Mary and Joseph endured poverty and exile. They lived in harmony with their circumstances, nurtured by God's bountiful creation. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayerfully expressing our gratitude to God, by caring for the gift of His creation (general prayer intention). We are also asked to pray for the spiritual and material needs of people of Asia (mission prayer intention), where so many families suffer painful hardship. 

"O God of the heavens, 

creator of the waters and Lord of the whole creation, 

hear me a poor wretch, 

making supplication to Thee 

and presuming of Thy mercy.

Judith 9:17

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Morning Offering/Ofrenda Matutina

 

special gifts

 

hermanas