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.

the love and mercy of Jesus

     Concluding a beautiful homily, our Priest reminded us that when we look at the Crucifix, we see the extent of God's love and mercy towards us.

     Jesus'holy miracle of unconditional forgiveness is the supernatural key that opens the eyes of our souls to God's Heavenly love. Father invited us to see in those around us, the opportunity to share, through our words and  actions, the love and mercy of Jesus.

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Twelfth Promise

     The Twelfth Promise to those who propagate the Rosary is that they shall have aid in all their necessities. Our greatest need in life is a close relationship with Our Almighty Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Divinely inspired obedience and devotion to God are exemplified by charity towards our neighbor and loving gratitude for the miraculous beauty of His creation. Our priorities are manifested in our journey's end. Loving God above all else through prayer, contemplation and selfless compassion for others leads us home to His eternal embrace. Praying the Rosary preternaturally sculpts the contours of our innermost yearnings causing our disposition to become more like His. 

For where thy treasure is, 

there is thy heart also. 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice.
 And all these things shall be added unto you.

From the Gospel of Matthew

Chapter 6 Verses 21 and 33

Douay Rheims Catholic Bible

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Eleventh Promise

     The Eleventh Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that what they shall ask through the Rosary, they shall obtain. In their greatest suffering, the holy saints and martyrs were miraculously strengthened by Our Blessed Mother's unwavering fidelity to our Almighty Father. Their steadfast fidelity was continually renewed by Jesus, as they grew more and more like Him through each trial and triumph. This divine transformation was the greatest desire of their hearts. Praying the Holy Rosary is certain to make this the greatest desire of our hearts as well.

 And seeing the multitudes 

He went up into a mountain 

and when He was set down 

His disciples came unto Him. 

And opening His mouth 

He taught them saying, 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit 

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

 Blessed are the meek 

for they shall posess the land. 

Blessed are they that mourn 

for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are they that hunger 

and thirst for justice 

for they shall have their fill. 

Blessed are the merciful 

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart 

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers 

for they shall be called children of God. 

Blessed are they that suffer persecution 

for justice sake 

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you 

and persecute you and speak all that is evil 

against you untruly for my sake. 

Be glad and rejoice 

for your reward is very great in Heaven. 

For so they persecuted 

the prophets that were before you."

From the Gospel of Matthew 

Chapter 5 Verses 1 through 12

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Drawn Home by Two Pillars

Don Bosco's Dream reminds me of 

the embrace of the prodigal son and his father 

and my return Home to Holy Mother Church.

     Reviewing my own turbulent spiritual journey, I realize that, though a cradle Catholic, I occupied dissenting enemy ships. Navigating through life's precarious deceptions, I was spiritually consumed and crushed by "what the world had to offer". Yet, my soul always knew wherein resided the Divine truth and beauty I had rejected. The most vitriolic foes of the Church are found among former Catholics. From this group emanate the strongest objections to reversion to Catholicism. Interestingly, many returning Catholics come Home fervently embracing many of the teachings which drove us away! 

     Looking at this painting, I am impressed with the unwavering, insurmountable, forward progression of the True Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Holy Mother Church. With the Pope at the helm, the Church fearlessly overcomes all weapons aimed against her while safely carrying the faithful to our longed for eternal destination.
     It was during Blessed John Paul II's final illness that I was irresistibly drawn home, heart and soul, into the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. When people would ask me why I returned to the Catholic faith, my  automatic response was "Jesus in the Eucharist and Mary".  Blessed John Paul II's monumental offering of prayer and suffering supernaturally brought about my reversion and that of many, many other souls. With regards to conversions and reversions, it is doubtless that when these numbers are tabulated they will represent a high point in Catholic Church History. 
     Blessed John Paul II was praying for us. I could "feel" it!
     I like to think that my current location in this painting is deep within the heart of La Barca de la Iglesia Católica~cooking, sweeping, cleaning, or fueling the engine with Adoration, Rosaries and Novenas.

"outsiders"

     The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. As Catholic Christians, we are not citizens of this world, but of Heaven. We are not perfect. We aspire to obey God's commands although inundated with the distractions and demands of daily life.  In His infinite mercy, He affords us the way to purification of our souls, and eventual worthiness for entry into Heaven. Many are the episodes in our journey with Jesus that we feel like "outsiders" in relation to our peers. It is within our Church families that we freely experience God's presence and graces. We pray to be inspired by the generosity of Jesus and Mary as we consider the needs of those who suffer the tragedy of economic distress, violence, war, death and displacement.  We are grateful for the guidance of our Priests and religious, as we the laity, work together with them in bringing more souls to Christ. Our Holy Father invites us to pray with him for Countries Receiving Refugees (general Prayer intention) and for Collaboration of Priests and Laity (mission prayer intention)

     "Martha therefore said to Jesus,'Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.' Jesus saith to her, 'Thy brother shall rise again.' Martha saith to Him, 'I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, although he be dead shall live.'"

John 11:21-25

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

World Mission Day

     The month of  October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The humble spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mary is the mother of all people. She presents all of our needs to Our Savior, as she did at the wedding of Cana, when Jesus turned water into wine. Her most important motherly advice was given to us. Obedience to God is our beautiful and holy expression of love. Our Holy Father invites us to join him in prayer for journalists (general prayer intention) and World Mission Day (mission Prayer intention).

     "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited and His disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to Him, "They have no wine." And Jesus saith to her, "Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour has not yet come." His mother saith to the waiters~"Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye."

John 2:1-5

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

a closer union

     The month of August is dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. As Catholic Christians, all of our actions must be carried out in a spirit of respect, honesty, fairness and charity. We are so often "the only Bible" that is read by those in our midst. Our behavior is a powerful expression of the extent to which our hearts are united to Christ. We are recipients of the Blessed Sacrament. Lord, please help us to be generous vessels of Christ's love for all of mankind. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for the conduct of participants in and observers of sports (general intention) and those people who aspire to Live the Gospel(mission prayer intention). Saint Francis of Assisi said to preach the Gospel with our actions, and "if necessary use words". Lifting our Hearts to Jesus in all our actions, may we inspire and draw all whom we encounter to a closer union with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

"By this all men shall know that you are my disciples, 

if you have love for one another."

2 John 13:35

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

determination

     I am so thankful for the example of the women in my life 

who with unfaltering determination
and generous devotion

faithfully pray the Holy Rosary
the timeless thread 

weaving love 

and holding families together 

through every joy and tribulation.

love your enemies

"But I say to you, love your enemies: 
do good to them that hate you: 

and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:"
Mathew 6:44
Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Prayer of Saint Gertrude for Souls in Purgatory

"Eternal Father, 

I offer to Thee the Most Precious Blood 

of Thy Divine Son Jesus

in union with the Masses said throughout the world this day 

for all the Souls in Purgatory."

Amen

The Memorare

     Cold icy winds seem never ending. Spring seems so far away. Thankfully, we are never without the enduring presence of Our Savior's unconditional love, Our Blessed Mother's holy intercession, or our beloved Saint Joseph's protection.

The Memorare:

   "Remember o most Blessed Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this conficence, I fly unto thee oh Virgin of Virgins our Mother. To thee do we come, before thee we kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen."

Learn more about this beautiful prayer here, @Thesaurus Precum Latinarum.