Prayers and Love

     A dear friend, who has been a Religious Sister since early in her life, shared with us her experience of prayer. She said that her prayers cause her to fall in love with Jesus over and over again. She explained that during her busy days, each time she chooses to take a moment to pray, she is drawn more closely into her loving union with Christ.

     Her countenance was graced with a joyful, golden, peaceful beauty as she described her life of prayer and love!

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

Drawn Home by Two Pillars

Don Bosco's Dream reminds me of 

the embrace of the prodigal son and his father 

and my return Home to Holy Mother Church.

     Reviewing my own turbulent spiritual journey, I realize that, though a cradle Catholic, I occupied dissenting enemy ships. Navigating through life's precarious deceptions, I was spiritually consumed and crushed by "what the world had to offer". Yet, my soul always knew wherein resided the Divine truth and beauty I had rejected. The most vitriolic foes of the Church are found among former Catholics. From this group emanate the strongest objections to reversion to Catholicism. Interestingly, many returning Catholics come Home fervently embracing many of the teachings which drove us away! 

     Looking at this painting, I am impressed with the unwavering, insurmountable, forward progression of the True Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Holy Mother Church. With the Pope at the helm, the Church fearlessly overcomes all weapons aimed against her while safely carrying the faithful to our longed for eternal destination.
     It was during Blessed John Paul II's final illness that I was irresistibly drawn home, heart and soul, into the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. When people would ask me why I returned to the Catholic faith, my  automatic response was "Jesus in the Eucharist and Mary".  Blessed John Paul II's monumental offering of prayer and suffering supernaturally brought about my reversion and that of many, many other souls. With regards to conversions and reversions, it is doubtless that when these numbers are tabulated they will represent a high point in Catholic Church History. 
     Blessed John Paul II was praying for us. I could "feel" it!
     I like to think that my current location in this painting is deep within the heart of La Barca de la Iglesia Católica~cooking, sweeping, cleaning, or fueling the engine with Adoration, Rosaries and Novenas.

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

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"