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.

"multiple choice test"

Accepting God's Will

May I resist the inclination

To present Him with

A "multiple choice test"

Of my own feeble design

It is He who tests me

When unbearable trials

And frightening helplessness

Engulf my tranquility

Flooding my eyes with tears

The question is raised

"Will you pick up your cross?"
Holy Spirit please give me the courage,

Jesus please strengthen me 
To Imitate Our Blessed Mother
Responding in the way 
Most pleasing to God
May my only answer be

"Yes"

A Priest's Love for Mary

Throughout his life as a priest, 

his love for Mary grew. 

He shared this miraculous love 

by remembering everyone's prayer needs, 

and blessing all of us with encouragement and hope.

His message to us was 

that praying the Rosary 

is the answer for every difficulty 

the world presents to our families.

His grace filled love for Mary 

melodiously echoed throughout the sanctuary 

as he lead us in praying the Rosary.

Dear Father,

Thank you for being such a wonderful priest. 

May your retirement be a happy and blessed one.

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

A Very Special Novena

A very special Novena

St. Therese's life of humble sacrifice

her devotion to Jesus

her passion for His Mission 

 gentle reminders

of her prayerful intercession

Saint of "the little way"

at all times

I will bless the Lord at all times

His praise shall be always in my mouth
In the Lord shall my soul be praised  

Let the meek hear and rejoice

O magnify the Lord with me

And let us extol His name forever.

I sought the Lord and He heard me

He deliered me from al my troubles. 

(The words of King David)

Douay-Reims  Roman Catholic Bible 

Psalm 33(34):2-5

The Brown Scapular

     Unassuming and fragile the Brown Scapular attracts very little outward attention. The Brown Scapular is a most powerful supernatural gift from Our Blessed Mother.
     After moving into our house, I encountered a Brown Scapular tucked under a heating register. There it was, just waiting for me.
    As my father was dying, it was a tremendous comfort that he was wearing a Brown Scapular.

Wearing the Scapular is a constant reminder of the intensity 

of our dear Holy Mother's advocacy for us. We, her children are ever protected by her intercession for us throughout this earthly spiritual battle. To learn more about the Brown Scapular see:

http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/brown_scapular.HTM 

http://carmelitanacollection.com/catechesis.html

About Wisdom...

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

 and the knowledge of the holy is prudence."

Proverbs 9:10

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

      "And all such things are hid and not forseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things taught me. For in her is the spirit of understanding, holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficient, gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all thingsm and containing all spirits, intelligible, pure, subtile. For wisdom is more active than all active things, and reacheth everywhere by reason of her purity. For she is a vapour of the poser of God and a certain pure emanation of the glory of the almighty God, and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her. For she is the brightness of eternal light and the unspotted mirror of God's Majesty, and the image of His goodness. And being but onem she can do all things, and remaining in herself the same she reneweth all things and through nations conveyeth herselfo into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets. For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom. For she is more beautiful than the sun and above all the order of the stars, being compared with the light, she is found before it. For after this cometh light, but no evil can overcome wisdom."

Wisdom  7: 21-29

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

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

"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

the redemptive message

     September is dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Because of His infinite love for all humans, God created us and all of nature on earth and in the heavens. Jesus suffered and died to make it possible for Heaven to be the ultimate destination of our immortal souls. Our Blessed Mother suffered every pain with Jesus on our behalf. Society attempts to highlight the importance of technology and material things, elevating possessions above the sanctity of life. Technology has the potential to outstrip in speed and impact, the simple message of God's generous love for all humankind. This all too frequently devalues human life in the eyes of many. The urgency of sharing the redemptive message of Jesus cannot be overestimated. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for the Centrality of the Human Person (general prayer intention) and for the Mission to Evangelize (mission intention).

"And thy own soul an sword shall pierce, 

that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed."

Luke 2:35

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

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

 

Loving Jesus with the Heart of Mary~ Papa Francisco en Filadelfia 2015

I was so inspired by the humility of these young people who publicly and without ceasing, reverently prayed the Rosary.

Papa Francisco~Filadelfia/Pope Francis~ Philadelphia 2015

Papa Francisco y el Peregrinaje Dedicado a la Familia/

Pope Francis and the Pilgrimage Dedicated to the Family

The Litany of Loreto

Our Lady's constant intercession for her children

  The many titles given to her

By Our Blessed Lord Jesus...

The Litany of Loreto