why pray without ceasing

Why should we pray without ceasing?

~~~~

"The tree beside running water 

is fresher and gives more fruit."

Saint Teresa of Ávila

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

     One of the greatest deceptions of the evil one is that hatred is more powerful than love. Let us fuel our souls and hearts with the supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Receiving God's love in the Holy Eucharist, we live out the truth, that His Love cannot be defeated. Praises be to Jesus forever and ever!

"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

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1)Wisdom - the highest of these supernatural gifts, this gift enables us to love and desire our Creator above all things. 
2)Understanding - is the supernatural ability to grasp teachings of our faith.
3)Counsel- supernaturally helps us to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance in all of our actions.
4)Fortitude- is the supernatural courage to uphold our faith even unto death.
5)Knowledge- supernaturally enables us to choose our actions in a manner that conforms to the will and commandments of our Heavenly Father.
6)Piety - This supernatural gift has been lost in our modern times. It is the beautiful and sweet reverence we show to our Almighty Father out of our great love for Him.
7)Fear of the Lord- This has also been lost in modern society. We fear rejecting or sinning against the Lord because we love Him so much. Motivated by this love, we deeply desire to obey rather than to offend our Heavenly Father.

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Fourth Promise

     The fourth promise to those who pray the Rosary is that this devotion will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God it will withdraw people from the love of things of this world and its vanities and it will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

     This morning I was watching some beautiful white tailed deer grazing and drinking. They were intensely tranquil and completely focused on nourishing themselves. When they heard my camera click they panicked and scattered into the woods. 

     In prayer, when my focus is on the mysteries of the Rosary, my soul is being nourished by the virtues of Jesus and Mary. My thoughts and actions are more likely to be directed by what Our Heavenly Creator has willed for me in His perfect design for my life. I am not saying that there is no value to spontaneous, original prayer. It's just that upon review of my life journey, I clearly see how greatly my actions and thoughts have been influenced by the presence or absence of time spent praying the Holy Rosary.  Mentally incorporating the life of Jesus and Mary into my soul directly impacted my personal choices with regards to a desire for holiness. Charity towards my neighbor was more likely during times of Rosary contemplation. 

     Pursuit of material possessions and social acceptance leads to distracting, spiritual clatter. My heart is more at peace in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Yet, I know that I still have a long way to go. Ave María~Praises be to Jesus forever! 

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.

Catholic, Even If...

     It is interesting to me that I am "not understood" when I explain why I am Catholic.  A revert to the faith, I was brought back into the Church through the powerful intercession of Our Lady.

  So close to me during my sojourn away from Catholicism, she gracefully brought me back to the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist. I am not following Christ for social acceptance. I am Catholic because my soul is drawn to the True Presence of Christ. The road is narrow.  Jesus said:    
     "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world."
     "Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you. Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. 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 live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever."

      Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said, "This saying is hard, and who can hear it?" But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: "Doth this scandalize you?  If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not." For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him.

     And He said: "Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father." After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away?  And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God."From the Gospel of John Chapter 6.

  

     So, even if "everybody else" walks away, I prefer to follow the example of our courageous Parish Priest who is never afraid to proclaim the truth of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

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

The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary~The Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries~Sundays and Wednesdays

Resurrection~Faith
(Luke 24:1-9)

Ascencion~Hope
(Luke 24:50-53)

Pentecost~Wisdom, Love of God
(Acts 2:1-47)

Assumption~Grace of a Holy Death, Devotion to Mary
(Holy Scripture and Catholic Tradition)*
Coronation of Mary~Trust in Mary's Intercession, 
Devotion to Mary, Eternal Happiness

(Revelation 12:1)


Because this prayer is rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Holy Rosary was affectionately referred to as "The Poor Man's Bible"

The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary~The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries~Tuesdays and Fridays
Agony in the Garden

~Contrition for Sin, Conformity to God's Will
(Matthew 26:36-46)

Scourging at the Pillar~Purity
(Mark 15:15)

Crowning With Thorns~Moral Courage
(Matthew 27:28-30)

Via Crucis~Patience in Suffering
(John 19:17)

Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
~Self Denial, Persevernace
(Luke 23:33-43)

Because this prayer is rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Holy Rosary was affectionately referred to as "The Poor Man's Bible"

The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary~The Luminous Mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
(Thursdays)

Baptism of Jesus
~Discernment, Openness to the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 3:13-17)

Wedding at Cana
~Gratitude, To Jesus Through Mary
(John 2:1-11)

Proclamation of the Kingdom
~Repentance, Trust in God 
(Matthew 5:3-12)
Transfiguration
~Courage, Desire for Holiness

(Luke 9:28-36)

Establishment of the Eucharist
~Desire for Mass and Eucharistic Adoration 
(Luke 22:7-23)


Because this prayer is rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Holy Rosary was affectionately referred to as "The Poor Man's Bible"

Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary ~ The Joyous Mysteries

The Joyous Mysteries of the Rosary 
(Mondays, Saturdays)

The Annunciation~Humility

(Luke 1:26-38)

The Visitation~Charity

(Luke 1:39-56)

The Nativity~Poverty

(Luke 2:1-20)

The Presentation~Obedience

(Luke 2:22-38)

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple~Zeal for Jesus

(Luke 2:41-52)

Because this prayer is rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Holy Rosary was affectionately referred to as "The Poor Man's 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

hermanas

 

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 3 ~ Good Works ~ Alms Giving

   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. Fear is the greatest obstacle to generosity. Holy Scriptures teach us that love casts out all fear.

     While visiting Guatemala, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people there. Their life is a life of poverty by our country's standards. What amazed and humbled me was the freedom with which people gave of their time, work and goods. They did not hold back. There was no measuring of how much was given nor was there an expectation of anything in return. Giving to those in need came easily.
     It is said that the higher one's income, the more difficult it is to be generous. Are material possessions too much to lose? Why is it so difficult to share? Why are prayers of petition more desperate and fervent than prayers of thanksgiving? What is so frightening about giving away material possessions? Elaborate household alarm systems and expensive storage of never used items underscore the anxiety attached to protecting material goods. What is so scary about losing what is so easily lost? The despair associated with holding on to things is evenly matched with the despondency of not having enough. All of this occurs with the full awareness of nearby poverty. 
     A dear friend is a contemplative nun. She owns nothing. Her peaceful smile is ever present. She fears nothing, not even death. Her only concern is that she is not giving Jesus enough love.
     May this Lent's alms giving take away our fear and fill us with the love of Christ.

Prayer

Fasting

Alms Giving

Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice

Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh.

Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, 

by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 

let your petitions be made known to God.

 And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, 

keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

For the rest, brethren, 

whatsoever things are true,whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, 

whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, 

if there be any virtue, 

if any praise of discipline, 

think on these things."

Philippians 4:4-8 
Douay-Reims Roman Catholic Bible

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.