Prayer of Saint Bonaventure~Meditation I

"Pierce O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul

with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love,

with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity,

that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee,

that my soul may ever long for Thee and faint for Thy courts,

and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.

(St. Kateri Shrine, NY)

Grant that my soul may ever hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels,

the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and Supersubstantial Bread,

having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste..."

Saint Bonaventure said, 
"He who wishes to go on advancing 

from virtue to virtue, from grace to grace, 

should constantly meditate upon 
the passion of Jesus Christ."

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 Fifth Promise

     The fifth promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that those who trust themselves to Mary through the Rosary shall not perish.

     Our Blessed Mother lived a life of obedience to God. No human being has ever been closer to Jesus. Through her powerful intercession, she faithfully cares for the souls of all her children.

     The lovely rose reflections of the evening clouds on the lake in the image remind me of how our souls bear a reflection of what we dedicate them to during our mortal life. We shall all experience physical death. However, the eternal destination of our souls is determined by how we choose to live. Although devotion to Christ may actually lead to our physical demise at the hands of those who oppose Him, in a mystical way, our souls shall always be safe in His care. Contemplation of the life of Christ while praying the Rosary forever imprints His love upon our souls.

"Let your manners be without covetousness, 

contented with such things as you have, 

for He hath said: I will not leave thee 

neither will I forsake thee. 

So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper. 

I will not fear what man shall do to me."

Hebrews 13:5 and 6

Douay Rheims Catholic Bible

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.

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. 

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

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

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

unity

     The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. Our Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for peaceful unity among all people in the Name of Jesus. The general prayer intention is for inter religious dialogue and the mission prayer intention is for Christian unity. 

     Saint Paul's words, in his letter to the Ephesians, reflect this beautiful sentiment. "I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called. With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. One body and one Spirit as you are called in one hope of your calling. One faith, one Lord, one baptism."

Epesians 4:1-5 

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Morning Offering/Ofrenda Matutina

 

special gifts

 

hermanas

 

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

Lent 1 ~ Good Works ~ Prayer

     Lent is a beautiful time of growing closer to Christ by giving of ourselves through the good works of prayer, fasting and alms giving. In these ways, we aspire to imitate Our Blessed Lord in the way that he gave Himself, without reservation,  to all of us.

       Prayer is lifting our hearts and souls to God. This Heavenward act of love, characterized by its simplicity and beauty, can be expressed vocally or mentally. Spontaneous or recited, sung or signed, our offerings of praise, thanksgiving, petition, contrition are essential in our growing relationship with our Creator. True holy reverent prayer is accomplished only with the divine help of the Holy Spirit. And let us never underestimate the assistance of our Guardian Angel. Our Catholic Catechism is filled with a treasury of lessons about prayer. The writings of many Holy men and women of God teach us that the inevitable multitude of tangible and intangible distractions to prayer, present an overarching struggle which can only be counterbalanced by supernatural grace. This grace, which strengthens holy perseverance, comes from Our Almighty Father, and is delivered to us by the Blessed Virgin Mary. The intercession of Mary, and all of the Saints and Angels make it possible for us to successfully overcome every obstacle to remaining in union with Christ through prayer. God commands us to pray for one another, even if we are "enemies". Prayer is so powerful, yet so easily overlooked amid daily activities. It is true that "prayer changes things", especially the heart of the person praying. 
     The time we spend praying would be spent engaged in some other activity. So, in order to pray we must "give up" something we would otherwise be doing. Prayer involves us in a subtle act of sacrifice, the supernatural results of which are uniquely perceived by the soul.
   There are many opportunities for simple, quiet prayer during any busy day. Morning prayers and Scripture reading set a lovely tranquil pace for the remainder of the day. Jesus used to get away from the frenzy of activity that so often surrounded Him so as to spend time in solitude with His Father. Jesus listened To God. He listened to hear God's will. He was always disposed to obey, even when it required suffering. Healing, miracles, love and compassion flowed from Him without limits.
   I once read a sign that said "A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel." I believe that a Lent woven in prayer embroiders our hearts ever more securely within the Heart of Jesus.

Prayer

Fasting

Alms Giving

Irish Wedding Blessing

~Irish Wedding Blessing~

"May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future

Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And your hearts joined forever in love.

Your lives are very special,

God has touched you in many ways.

May his blessings rest upon you

And fill all your coming days."

Jesus was waiting for us to visit Him

     With tachycardic angst we found ourselves in a traffic jam. Meanwhile, a midsummer thunderstorm had left it's most beautiful remnant, a glorious rainbow. Then, a labyrinth of one way streets delivered us to the front steps of an old yet elegant Catholic Church. Three doors were locked. The Holy Spirit directed us to the fourth door, hidden behind a little porch's colorful flowers. There a kind Carmelite brother escorted us into the marvelous sanctuary of the Church...

where Jesus was waiting for us to visit Him.

Please Read 
Heliotropium~Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine 
Book Review Part 3 of 5
Thank you

Gratitude=Recognizing Miracles

          We pray for God to work miracles expecting the Almighty to serve us by complying with our demands. We don't get what we asked for. Then we believe that He has abandoned us. We have it backwards. We miss the point. We overlook His miracles. Our focus on material poverty blinds us to the wealth of Divine miracles that are daily showered upon us. Yet, if we carefully consider all aspects of life's events, we learn that Jesus continually blesses us with multitudes of miracles in response to our prayers. Our Father loves us so much that he only wants our best. We forget how much He loves our obedience. Obedience is a powerful expression of love. We forget that God's love for the broken hearted is immeasurable.  We deny ourselves the joy of surrendering to His Holy and Perfect Will. Like our Crosses, God chooses specific miracles for us. So often, our Cross is the sweetest of  His love filled gifts. That's where gratitude comes in. Without gratitude our petition is self centered, not Jesus centered. Gratitude opens our hearts and minds to God's beautiful Holy miracles. May the Holy Spirit fill us with the grace to recognize and obey God's Divine will for us.

 "And we know that to them that love God, 

all things work together unto good, 

to such as, according to his purpose, 
are called to be saints."

Romans 8:28

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible