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 Thirteenth Promise

     The Thirteenth Promise that Mary has obtained from her Divine Son to those who are faithful advocates of the Rosary prayer shall have for intercessors the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death.  An angel comforted with Jesus at the time of His fast and strengthened Him during His agony in the garden. An angel greeted Mary Magdalene in the garden after His resurrection.

 

     Jesus said, "For where there are two or three gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them".(Matthew 18:20 DRB) Whenever we pray, we are personally accompanied by our guardian Angel who is always with us.  We are told in the Psalms that there is no where that we can "flee" from the presence of the Spirit of God (Psalm 138:7)  Furthermore, as Christians we believe in the Communion of Saints and that our souls are eternal. Therefore, all of the saints and martyrs who have gone before us continually pray for us. Our Blessed Mother is the Queen of all of the Angels and Saints. Having been the closest to Jesus throughout his life, she is the powerful intercessor on our behalf. We are never alone. Jesus has promised us that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) 

    

their first courageous step

 For all the saints, 

their first courageous step 

was to daily and continually 

turn away from all things worldly 

in favor of Jesus Christ.

In this way

every thought word and action,

every intention, success and failure,

every labor and sacrifice

was miraculously transformed into

a sweet step to climb 

into the loving arms of Jesus

for all eternity.

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 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"

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

Saint Jude ~ God's Will

Trustingly accepting and lovingly obeying

the holy and perfect will of our Almighty Father

with all our mind, heart and strength

...our greatest need...

"Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, 

faithful servant and friend of Jesus,  
the Church honors and invokes you universally, 
as the patron of difficult  cases, of things almost despaired of, 
Pray for me,I am so helpless and alone. 
Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. 
Come to my assistance in this great need 
that I may receive  the consolation and help of heaven 
in all my necessities, tribulations, and  sufferings, 
particularly -(make your request here)
- and that I may praise  God with you and all the saints forever. 
I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, 
to be  ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God 
and to always honor you as  my special and powerful patron, 
and to gratefully encourage devotion to you." 
Amen

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

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

slaves/esclavos

When we are slaves to worry,
Our Most Blessed Virgin Mother
Leads us into the Presence of Jesus,

The only One Who can free us.

And when our loved ones are enslaved by fear,  
The prayerful encouragement of Our Lady

Helps us to be a Saint Peter Claver for them.

Cuando somos esclavos de las preocupaciones, 
Nuestra Santísima Virgen Madre
Nos lleva a la Presencia de Jesús, 
El Unico que nos puede liberar.
Y cuando nuestros seres queridos están esclavizados por el miedo 
El aliento orante de Nuestra Señora
Nos ayuda ser el San Pedro Claver para ellos.

Hail Mary, full of grace

The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb,Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God
Pray for us sinners, now,
And at the hour of our death. Amen

Dios te salve María, llena eres de gracia, 
el Señor es contigo. 
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres 
y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre, Jesús. 
Santa María Madre de Dios, 
ruega por nosotros los pecadores, 
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amen

Student"s Prayer

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, 

Origin of all being

Graciously let a ray of Your light 

penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness into which I have been born~

the obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, 

and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally

Grant me the talent of being exact in all my explanations

and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning, 

direct the progress and help in the completion.

I ask this through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen

This prayer was written by Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Padre Pio's Efficacious Sacred Heart Novena

(1) O my Jesus, You have said,

"Truly I say to you, ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." 

Behold, I knock, seek and ask for the grace of 

(name your request)

Recite the Our Father~Hail Mary~Glory Be, followed by 

"Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in Thee."

(2) O my Jesus, You have said,

"Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, 

he will give it to you." 

Behold,in your name I ask the Father for the grace of 

(name your request)

Recite the Our Father~Hail Mary~Glory Be, followed by 

"Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in Thee."

(3) O my Jesus, You have said,

"Truly I say to you, heaven and earth shall pass away, 

but my words will not pass away." 

Encouraged by Your infallible words, I now ask for the grace of

 (name your request)

Recite the Our Father~Hail Mary~Glory Be, followed by 

"Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in Thee."

O Sacred Heart of Jesus for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender Mother and ours.

Recite the Hail Holy Queen followed by 

"Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us."

Learn more about the Sacred heart Novenas:

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/heart/sh_novena.htm

Joyfully Imitating Mary's Obedient Trust

In the timely sunlight of Our Eternal Father's perfect will

and in the unwavering showers of Jesus' mercy and love

our souls are filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: 

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Long Suffering, Mildness, Faith, Self Control, Modesty and Chastity.

"O Blessed Saint Joseph,

 faithful guardian and protecor of virgins

to whom God entrusted Jesus and Mary

I implore you by the love which you did bear them

to preserve us frm every defilement of soul and body

that we may always serve them 

in Holiness and purity of love." Amen

Learn more about Saint Joseph 

and his powerful intercession and protection 

here @ EWTN.