Multiplication

A multiplication of graces is a gift from Jesus 

whenever we trust in Him.

"Then Jesus said, Make the men sit down". Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves and when He had given thanks, He distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would. And when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain lest they be lost." They gathered up therefore and filled twelve baskets wit the fragments of the five barley loaves which remained over and above to them that had eaten.

The Gospel of John 6:10-13

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

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 Fifteenth Promise

     The Fifteenth promise to those faithful to pray the daily Rosary is that this devotion is a special sign of predestination. When I was a child, the Sisters taught us the following from the Baltimore Catechism:
     Question: Why did God make me?
     Response: God made me to love Him and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next.
     A beautiful way to learn precisely how to love and serve God in this world is to become familiar with the life, teachings, virtues and miracles of Jesus. Over a lifetime, contemplating the life of Jesus by praying the Rosary daily gently weaves these virtues securely into the unique tapestry each individual's consciousness. Imitating Jesus inevitably leads our souls to eternity with Him in heaven.

   "All the world is vanity except to love God and serve Him only." (Thomas A. Kempis, The Imitation of Christ)

   In a temporally minute yet supernaturally infinite way, while the praying the Rosary, our beings are turned away from the things of the world. For that brief moment of time, we are conforming ourselves, soul and body, to the heart of Christ. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, regular practice of this sacred contemplation mystically fortifies our supernatural affinity with the Heart of Jesus.

   Loving Jesus with the Heart of Mary by praying the daily Rosary is an invaluable spiritual gift. Sharing this divine gift with our children and loved ones assists all of us in our journey to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

 Reflecting upon these fifteen promises and daily praying the Rosary, may your days be filled with superabundant blessings and graces from our loving God.

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Fourteenth Promise

     The Fourteenth Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that they are beloved children of Our Blessed Mother, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.  A sweet memory for me is slipping into slumber to the calm voice of my parents or grandparents as they told me one of many favorite bedtime stories. Many are the times I have fallen into a deep sleep while praying the Rosary. At these times, I feel as though our Holy Mother, is comforting my soul by telling me the story of Jesus. With each telling, a new understanding unfolds or a much needed insight is conveyed. Contemplating the life and virtues of Jesus as I pray the Rosary, opens my heart to receive the graces vital to living a Christian life. Surrendering my will to Jesus with childlike faith predisposes me to be showered with the beauty and truth of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

     At that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Who thinkist thou is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven? And Jesus, calling unto Him a little child set him in the midst of them and said "Amen I say to you. Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this Little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. And he that receiveth one such little child in my name receiveth me."

From the Gospel of Matthew

Chapter 18 Verses 1 through 5

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

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) 

    

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Twelfth Promise

     The Twelfth Promise to those who propagate the Rosary is that they shall have aid in all their necessities. Our greatest need in life is a close relationship with Our Almighty Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Divinely inspired obedience and devotion to God are exemplified by charity towards our neighbor and loving gratitude for the miraculous beauty of His creation. Our priorities are manifested in our journey's end. Loving God above all else through prayer, contemplation and selfless compassion for others leads us home to His eternal embrace. Praying the Rosary preternaturally sculpts the contours of our innermost yearnings causing our disposition to become more like His. 

For where thy treasure is, 

there is thy heart also. 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice.
 And all these things shall be added unto you.

From the Gospel of Matthew

Chapter 6 Verses 21 and 33

Douay Rheims Catholic Bible

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Eleventh Promise

     The Eleventh Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that what they shall ask through the Rosary, they shall obtain. In their greatest suffering, the holy saints and martyrs were miraculously strengthened by Our Blessed Mother's unwavering fidelity to our Almighty Father. Their steadfast fidelity was continually renewed by Jesus, as they grew more and more like Him through each trial and triumph. This divine transformation was the greatest desire of their hearts. Praying the Holy Rosary is certain to make this the greatest desire of our hearts as well.

 And seeing the multitudes 

He went up into a mountain 

and when He was set down 

His disciples came unto Him. 

And opening His mouth 

He taught them saying, 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit 

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

 Blessed are the meek 

for they shall posess the land. 

Blessed are they that mourn 

for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are they that hunger 

and thirst for justice 

for they shall have their fill. 

Blessed are the merciful 

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart 

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers 

for they shall be called children of God. 

Blessed are they that suffer persecution 

for justice sake 

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you 

and persecute you and speak all that is evil 

against you untruly for my sake. 

Be glad and rejoice 

for your reward is very great in Heaven. 

For so they persecuted 

the prophets that were before you."

From the Gospel of Matthew 

Chapter 5 Verses 1 through 12

Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Tenth Promise

     The Tenth Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that they will enjoy great glory in Heaven. Obedience to the Commands of Our Lord is the fruit of imitation of Mary's love for Jesus. Praying the Rosary daily transforms our souls in such a way that our hearts grow more deeply in love with Jesus, who said "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

     "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father. And I will love him and will manifest myself to him." Judas (not the Iscariot) saith to Him, "Lord, how is it that thou will manifest thyself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If any one love me he will keep my word and my Father will love him. And we will come to him and will make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard is not mine but the Father's who sent me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you."

The Words of Jesus

From the Gospel fo John 
Chapter 14 Verses 21 through 25

Douay Rheims Catholic Bible

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Ninth Promise

     The Ninth Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that Our Lady will deliver their souls promptly from Purgatory. There are a multitude of Scriptural references to the existence and necessity of Purgatory. 

     Our Creator is perfect. Nothing impure or unholy can exist in Heaven. How could any soul, burdened with the spiritual infirmity of sin, truly enjoy eternity?