Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Sunday, January 03, 2021

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


Sunday, December 06, 2020

Prayer of Saint Bonaventure~Meditation III

"May my soul ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find thee, run to Thee
attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee,
and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy Name,
with humility and discretion, with love and delight, 
with ease and affection 
and with perserverence unto the end.
May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance!
 Jesus~my riches my delight my pleasure my joy
Jesus~my rest and tranquility
Jesus~my peace my sweetness
Jesus~my fragrance my sweet savor
Jesus~my food my refreshment
Jesus~my refuge my help
Jesus~my wisdom my portion
Jesus~my posession, my treasure
Jesus~in Whom my mind and my heart may ever be fixed
and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and forever."
Amen.
 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."

Sunday, November 01, 2020

Prayer of Saint Bonaventure ~Meditation II

"...Let my heart ever hunger after Thee,
upon Whom the angels desire to Look.
And my my inmost soul be filled
with the sweetness of Thy savor.
May my soul ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life,
the fountain of wisdom and knowledge,
the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure,
the richness of the house of our Blessed Lord."
 
 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."

Sunday, October 04, 2020

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."

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

why pray without ceasing

Why should we pray without ceasing?
~~~~
"The tree beside running water 
is fresher and gives more fruit."

Friday, November 01, 2019

Morning Prayers of Jesus


"And rising very early
He went into a desert place
and there He prayed."
Mark 1:35
Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Sunday, September 01, 2019

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!
      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.

Sunday, July 07, 2019

"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"



Sunday, December 02, 2018

impossible to unravel

A family hemmed in prayer
Is impossible to unravel...

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Eucharistic Procession

     Our Parish Priest has re established the tradition of a yearly Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of the feast of Corpus Christi.I especially remember a procession which took place a few years ago.
     Carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a Monstrance, Father was accompanied by a small group of parishioners and a faithful altar server bearing holy incense. We walked through our town, praying the  Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, reading Scripture passages and singing hymns. At the edge of town, we crossed a bridge where we greeted some people fishing on this warm resplendent afternoon. 
     A couple passing through town got out of their truck and reverently genuflected while making the sign of the Cross.
     At the conclusion of our procession, before we convened inside the Church for Benediction, a Knight of Columbus graced us with beautiful bagpipe music.

Prayer Before a Crucifix:
"Behold, o good and most sweet Jesus, 
I fall upon my knees before Thee 
and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee 
that Thou would impress upon my heart 
a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, 
true repentance for my sins, 
and a firm resolve to make amends. 
And with deep affection and grief, 
I reflect upon Thy five wounds, 
having before my eyes 
that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, 
Oh good Jesus. 
"They have pierced my hands and feet, 
they have counted all my bones." 
AMEN

Sunday, May 06, 2018

Only God

Whenever something wonderful would happen
My grandmother would say "Only God!"
Whenever there was a great need
My grandmother would pray "Only God!"
Whenever, in the midst of tragedy, miraculous transformation emerged
My grandmother would praise "Only God!"


Sunday, March 04, 2018

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. 

Sunday, February 04, 2018

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."

Sunday, October 01, 2017

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"


Sunday, September 03, 2017

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

Sunday, November 06, 2016

"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



Sunday, September 04, 2016

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

Sunday, June 05, 2016

my least brethren

     The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of JesusOur Holy Father asks us to join him in prayer for human solidarity (general prayer intention) and for seminarians and novices (mission intention). Jesus is honored by our service and love for all families, as well as for marginalized persons in our society~orphans, homeless, physically ill, mentally ill, aged and disabled. This holy work is the "vocation" of laity and religious alike. Lord, please help us to joyfully serve Jesus, Whose heart beats within the hearts of the suffering and needy.
(Baptism, Guatemala)
(Novices, Esquipulas Guatemala)
(Seminarians, Papal visit, Philadelphia)
    "For I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. Naked and you covered me, sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me. Then shall the just answer him saying, Lord when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, thirsty and give thee drink and when did we see the a stranger and took thee in or naked and covered thee or when did we see thee sick or in prison and came to thee? And the king answering shall say to them~"Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me."
Matthew 25:35-40
Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Sunday, May 01, 2016

humbly and obediently

     The month of May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother MaryOur 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

Sunday, April 03, 2016

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