Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

One Minute Reflection – 2 September – Today this scripture has been fulfilled

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One Minute Reflection – 2 September – Monday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 4:16–30

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.   He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…  Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”... Luke 4:18,21

REFLECTION – “The ‘today’, proclaimed by Christ that day, applies to every age, it echoes for us too in this Square, reminding us of the relevance and necessity of the salvation Jesus brought to humanity.   God comes to meet the men and women of all times and places, in their real life situations.   He also comes to meet us.   It is always He who takes the first step, He comes to visit us with His mercy, to lift us up from the dust of our sin. He comes to extend a hand to us in order to enable us to return from the abyss into which our pride made us fall and He invites us, to receive the comforting truth of the Gospel and to walk on the paths of good.   He always comes to find us, to look for us.

Let us return to the synagogue.   Surely that day, in the synagogue of Nazareth, Mary, His Mother, was also there.   We can imagine her heart beating, a small foreboding of what she will suffer under the Cross, seeing Jesus, there in the synagogue, first admired, then challenged, then insulted, threatened with death.   In her heart, filled with faith, she kept everything.   May she help us to convert from a god of miracles to the miracle of God, who is Jesus Christ.” … Pope Francis, 31 January 2016 Angelus, St Peter’s Squareluke 4 18 21 today the spirit of the lord is upon me - the today proclaimed by christ - pope francis 2 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, open our eyes to see the coming of Your Son, to recognise Him in His Word, to hear His voice as He calls each one of us.   Christ be near at either hand!   Grant that by the prayers of His Mother, we may hear and follow Your Son and never be among those who wish to throw Him out.   Through Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.hail mary pray for us - 28 sept 2018.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 2 September – Prayer to our Lady of Sorrows

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Our Morning Offering – 2 September – Monday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C ‘Month of Our Lady of Sorrows’

Prayer to our Lady of Sorrows
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief you experienced
when you witnessed the martyrdom,
the crucifixion
and the death, of your divine Son,
look upon me with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart a tender
commiseration for those sufferings,
as well as a sincere detestation
of my sins, in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that henceforward all my thoughts
and all my actions may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
to our divine Lord Jesus,
and to the you,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amenprayer-to-our-lady-of-sorrows-st-bonaventure-1-sept-2018.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 1 September -Always descend

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One Minute Reflection – 1 September – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C,Gospel: Luke 14:7–14 and the Memorial of St Fiacre (Died 670)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” … Luke 14:11for everyone who exalts himself - luke 14 11 1 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “[Christ:] See [My] devotion to men and consider what your own should be.   See that humility for man’s good and learn to humble yourself to do good…  to make yourself small to win others, not to fear to go lower or lose your rights when it is a matter of doing good, not to believe that in descending you make yourself powerless to do good.   To the contrary, by descending you imitate Me, by descending you make use of the same means, for the love of humankind, that I Myself employed, by descending you walk in My way and, therefore, in the truth and you are in the best place to lay hold of life and give it to others…  By my incarnation I place Myself on a level with creatures, by My baptism …on that of sinners, descent, humility…  Always descend, always humble yourself.

Let those who are first always stand in the last place, through humility and in disposition of spirit, with an attitude of descent and service.   Love of men, humility, the last place, in the last place, so long as the divine will does not call you to another, since then you must obey.   Obedience before all else, conformity to God’s will.   In the first place, be spiritually in the last, through humility, occupy it in the spirit of service, telling yourself, that you are only there, to serve others and lead them to salvation.” … Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) – Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara – Retreat, Holy Land, Lent 1898in the first place be spiritually in the last - bl charles foucauld 1 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, teach us by Your Grace, lead us by Your Hand and turn our hearts to love.   Your Son took the last place and became the servant of all.   By our obedience, may we grow in humility and follow in His way.   May the prayers of St Fiacre help us on our way.   We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st fiacre pray for us 1 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 1 September – O Heavenly Father by Blessed Marmion

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Our Morning Offering – 1 September – Twenty second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

O Heavenly Father
Prayer after Holy Communion
By Blessed Abbot Columba Marmion OSB (1858-1923)

O heavenly Father,
I abide in Your Son Jesus
and He abides in me.
Your Son, proceeding from You,
receives the communication
of Your divine life in its fullness.
I have received Your Son with faith,
faith tells me at this moment,
I am with Him
and since I share in His life,
behold me in Him,
through Him,
with Him,
as the Son
in Whom
You are well-pleased!
Ameno heavenly father by al abbott marmion prayer after holy comm 1 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 August – ‘..A steward of Providence’

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One Minute Reflection – 31 August – Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:14–30

“For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property….”…Matthew 25:14

REFLECTION – “The universal destination and the private ownership of goods – In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labour and enjoy their fruits (Gn 1:26-29). The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race.   However, the earth is divided up among men to assure the security of their lives, endangered by poverty and threatened by violence. the appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing the freedom and dignity of persons and for helping each of them to meet his basic needs and the needs of those in his charge.   It should allow for a natural solidarity to develop between men.   The right to private property… does not do away with the original gift of the earth to the whole of mankind, the universal destination of goods remains primordial, even if the promotion of the common good requires respect for the right to private property and its exercise.
“In his use of things man should regard the external goods he legitimately owns not merely as exclusive to himself but common to others also, in the sense that they can benefit others as well as himself” (Vatican II, GS 69).   The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first of all his family.   Goods of production… oblige their possessors to employ them in ways that will benefit the greatest number.   Those who hold goods for use and consumption should use them with moderation, reserving the better part for guests, for the sick and the poor.”…Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2402-2405matthew-24-14-for-it-will-be-as-when-a-man-going-on-a-journey-the-ownership-of-property-ccc2402-2405-1-sept-2018 and 31 aug 2019

PRAYER – Holy God and Father, help us by Your grace, to remain “good and faithful servants” so that we may use all You have bestowed upon us and left to our care, in the loving care of our neighbour and of Your gifts. May Mary, the Mother of Your divine Son and our Mother, walk at our side and teach us to be true children and users of our talents and Your creation.   May we guard Your world with great wisdom.   Holy Mother pray for us, that we may one day enter “into the joy of our Lord”.   We make our prayer, through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.holy mary mother of god - pray for us - 13 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 31 August – O Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 31 August – Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the last day of the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary
Heart of Love and Mercy

O Most Blessed Mother,
heart of love,
heart of mercy,
ever listening, caring, consoling,
hear our prayer.
As your children,
we implore your intercession
with Jesus your Son.
Receive with understanding
and compassion
the petitions we place before you today,
especially those so deep in our heart.
We are comforted in knowing
your heart is ever open
to those who ask for your prayer.
We trust to your gentle care and intercession,
those whom we love
and those who are sick or lonely or hurting.
Help all of us, Holy Mother,
to bear our burdens in this life
until we may share eternal life
and peace with God forever.
Ameno immaculate heart of mary heart of love and mercy 31 august 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – “That way above the rest”

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One Minute Reflection – 30 August – Friday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13 and the Memorial of Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster OSB (1880-1954)

“The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.” … Matthew 25:3-4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies.   Do you think it might be charity?   If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement.   I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil.   The apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.”   “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”  This is charity.   It is “that way above the rest,” which is with good reason signified by the oil.   For oil swims above all liquids.   Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above.   If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost.   “Charity never fails.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor – Sermon 93matthew 25 3-4 the foolish ones took no oil - it is some great thing that this oil signifies - st augustine - 30 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Saviour, through the grace of Baptism you made us children of light. Hear our prayer, that we may always walk in that light and work for truth, love and charity, as Your witnesses before men.   Dispel from our hearts the darkness of sin and keep us ever watchful for the true light, Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever.   Blessed Alfredo Schuster, you lived a life of total charity ever watchful to the needs of your neighbour, please pray for us, amen.bl alfredo schuster pray for us 30 aug 2019

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – Send Us Your Sevenfold Grace

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Our Morning Offering – 30 August – Friday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Send Us Your Sevenfold Grace
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Doctor of the Church

Send upon us, O God,
the Spirit of sevenfold grace –
the spirit of wisdom,
enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life,
which is indeed Yourself;
the gift of understanding,
to enlighten our perceptions;
the gift of strength,
to withstand our adversary’s onslaught;
the gift of knowledge,
to distinguish good from evil
by the light of Your holy teaching;
the gift of piety,
to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy;
the gift of fear,
to withdraw from all ill-doing
and live quietly in awe of your eternal majesty.
These are the things for which we ask.
Grant them for the honour of Your Holy Name,
to which, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
be all honour and glory,
thanksgiving, renown
and lordship forever and ever.
Amensend us your sevenfold grace - st bonaventure - 30 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 August – Pleasing other people is of little value …

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One Minute Reflection – 29 August – The Beheading of St John the Baptist, Gospel:  Mark 6:17–29

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”…Mark 6:24mark-6-24-she-went-out-and-asked-her-mother-29-aug-2017

REFLECTION – “John did not live for himself alone, nor did he die for himself alone.   How many there were, burdened with sin, who were led to conversion by his hard and austere life.   How many who were strengthened to bear their own trials by his undeserved death.   And what about us?   From where does the opportunity come to offer faithful thanks to God today, if not from the the remembrance of Saint John, put to death for righteousness’ sake, that is to say, for Christ?…

Yes indeed, John the Baptist sacrificed his life with all his heart here below for love of Christ.   He chose to despise the commands of a tyrant, rather than those of God.   His example teaches us, that nothing should be dearer to us, than the will of God.   Pleasing other people is of little value, indeed, it often causes great harm…  Therefore, let us die to our sins and anxieties with all God’s friends, tread underfoot our misguided self-will and be careful to allow fervent love for Christ, to grow within us.” … Lanspergius the Carthusian (1489-1539) – Monk, Theologian – Sermon for the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Opera omnia, t. 2he chose to despiase the commands of a tyrant - lanspergius 29 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Father, You appointed St John the Baptist to be the herald of the birth and death of Christ Your Son.   Grant that as he died a martyr for justice and truth, so we may also courageously bear witness to Your Word.   We make our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever.   St John the Baptist, pray for us, amen.st-john-the-baptist-pray-for-us1-29-aug-2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 29 August – Do, What I Cannot.

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Our Morning Offering – 29 August – The Beheading of St John the Baptist

Do, What I Cannot
By St Anselm (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

Lord, my heart is before You.
I try
but by myself,
I can do nothing.
Do, what I cannot.
Admit me
to the inner room
of Your love.
I ask.
I seek.
I knock.
You have made me ask,
make me receive.
You have enabled me to see,
enable me to find.
You have taught me to knock,
open to my knock.
Amendo what i cannot st anselm - 29 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Flee to Him by Confessing

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One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Wednesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:27–32 and The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Doctor of Grace

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” … Matthew 23:27woe to you scribes and pharisees - whitewashed tombs - matthew 23 27 - 28 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “You are before God.   Question your heart, see what you have done and what you have been yearning for there—your salvation or the windy praise of men.   Look within, for a person cannot judge one whom he cannot see.   If we are assuring our heart, let us assure it in His presence.
“Because if our heart thinks badly”—that is, if it accuses us within, because we aren’t acting with the spirit with which we should be acting —“God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things” (v.20).
You hide your heart from man – hide it from God if you can.   How will you hide it from Him to whom it was said by a certain sinner in fear and confession:  “Where shall 1 go from your spirit, and where shed!  I flee from your face?”…  For where does God not exist? “If,” he said, “I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to hell, you are present” (Ps 139[138]:7-8).   Where will you go?   Where will you flee?   Do you want to hear some advice?   If you want to flee from Him, flee to Him.   Flee to Him by Confessing, not from Him by hiding, for you cannot hide but you can Confess.   Tell Him. “You are my refuge” (Ps 32[31]:7) and let there be nursed in you the love that alone leads to life.”…St Augustine (354-430) – Doctor of Graceyou hide your heart from man - hide it from god if you can - st augustine 28 aug 2019

PRAYER – Renew in Your Church, we pray , O Lord, the spirit with which You endowed Your Bishop Saint Augustine, that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for You, the sole fount of true wisdom and seek You, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. St Augustine, pray for us! Amenst augustine pray for us 28 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 28 August – Go on, O Lord and Act

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Our Morning Offering – 28 August – Wednesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Doctor of Grace and one of the original Four Fathers & Doctors of the Latin Church

Go on, O Lord and Act
By St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace

Go on, O Lord and act,
stir us up and call us back,
inflame us and draw us to Thee,
stir us up and grow sweet to us,
let us now love Thee,
let us run to Thee.
Are there not many men …
who, out of a deeper pit of darkness..
return to Thee–who draw near to Thee
and are illuminated by that light
which gives those
who receive it power from Thee
to become Thy sons?
Amengo on Lord and act - stir us up and call us back - st augustine - mem of simpliacinus 18 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “..Let us each examine our conscience..”

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One Minute Reflection – 27 August – Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:23–26 and The Memorial of St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Father of the Church

“You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”…Matthew 23:26matthew 23 26 you blind pharisee first cleanse the inside of the cup - 27 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “And so, dearly beloved brethren, let us each examine his conscience and when he sees that he has been wounded by some sin, let him first strive to cleanse his conscience by prayer, fasting, almsgiving and so dare to approach the Eucharist.   If he recognises his guilt and is reluctant to approach the holy altar, he will be quickly pardoned by the Divine Mercy, “for whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12).   If then, as I have said, a man conscious of his sins, humbly decides to stay away from the altar until he reforms his life, he will not be afraid of being completely excluded from the eternal banquet of heaven.
I ask you then, brethren, to pay careful attention.   If no-one dares approach an influential man’s table in tattered, soiled garments, how much more should one refrain in reverence and humility from the banquet of the Eternal King, that is, from the altar of the Lord, if one is smitten with poisonous envy, or anger, or is full of rage and fury? For it is written, “Go first and be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:24).   And again, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And when he kept silent, that man said to the attendants, ‘bind his hands and feet and cast him forth into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” (Mt 22:12,13).   The same sentence awaits the man who dares present himself at the wedding feast, that is at the Lord’s table, if he is guilty of drunkenness, or adultery, or retains hatred in his heart.” … St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Bishop of Arles, Father of the Churchi ask you then brethren to pay careful attention - st caesarius bishop and father 20 jan 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, renew Your Church with the Spirit of wisdom and love which You gave to St Caesarius.   Lead us by that same Spirit, to seek You, the only fountain of true wisdom and the source of everlasting love.   May we turn to You in sorrow and true repentance when we fail and strive always and everywhere to live in Your truth and Your love for all.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Spirit, one God, forever and ever.   St Caesarius, pray for the Church and for us all, amen.st caesarius of arles pray for us 27 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 27 August – Late Have I Loved You

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Our Morning Offering – 27 August – Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Monica (322-387)

Late Have I Loved You
By St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor

Late have I loved You,
Beauty so ancient and so new,
late have I loved You!
Lo, you were within,
but I outside, seeking there for You
and upon the shapely things You have made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
You were with me but I was not with You.
They held me back far from You,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in You.
You called, shouted, broke through my deafness.
You flared, blazed, banished my blindness.
You lavished Your fragrance, I gasped
and now I pant for You.
I tasted You and now I hunger and thirst;
You touched me and I burned for Your peace.late have i loved you 27 august 2019 st monica's feast day.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – ‘It is from the heart…..’

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One Minute Reflection – 26 August – Monday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:13–22 and The Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa

“And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.” … Matthew 23:18

REFLECTION – “Consider this analogy.   Think of the altar as the heart and the temple as the whole of Scripture. The temple of God’s glory, spiritually understood, is the divinely inspired Scripture.   The gold refers to the meanings it conveys.   To swear is to witness to the Scriptures, as a validation and confirmation of the word we speak.   Therefore, we ought to profess the whole sense of Scripture, as a confirmation of the sense which we invoke, in all of our words.
…The temple, that is, the reading of the Scriptures, makes a great and venerable sense, just as consecrated gold is valuable.   So we ought not to swear by our own intellects to confirm our beliefs, as if we were creating witnesses that could judge according to the truth.   But let us explore further the analogy of the temple, the gold and the altar.   The altar is the place where a vow is sanctified.   The altar in this passage is the heart of a man.   What happens in the heart happens deeply within a person.   Vows and gifts placed on the altar are clearly those placed upon the human heart.   When you begin to pray, you place the vow of your prayer upon your heart, as if you had placed something upon the altar, so that you might offer your prayer to God.
Suppose you are ready to place an offering of psalms upon your heart, so as to offer to God an offering of psalms, accompanying yourself with a harp.   Or suppose you are ready to give alms.  You make an offering of alms upon your heart, just as if you had placed something on the altar, as you would offer your alms to God  . Suppose you have proposed to fast, in order to make an offering of your fasting upon your heart, as if you had placed something upon the altar.
In this way the heart of a man makes vows in a holy and venerable way.    It is from the heart, that is, the altar, that the vow is offered to God.   Therefore, it is not possible for the offering of a man to be more honourable than his heart, from which the offering is sent up.” … Origen (c 185-253) (Commentary on Matthew, 2)matthew 23 18 if one swears by the altar - it is from the altar that is from the heart - origen 26 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, be the beginning and the end of all that we do and say.   Prompt our actions with Your grace and complete them with Your all-powerful help.   Fill us with the grace of Your true love, that our hearts may be made of flesh and not of stone.   May our hearts, minds and souls belong to You alone.   May the guiding hand of the Mother of Your Son lead us, with unfailing tenderness, to You.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, ‘totus tuus’ Maria – please pray for us, amen.our-lady-of-czestochowa-pray-for-us.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 26 August – Give me Strength, O Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 26 August – Monday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time

Give me Strength, O Lord
By St Ephrem of Syria (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ,
King of kings,
You have power over life and death.
You know even things that are uncertain and obscure,
and our very thoughts and feelings are not hidden from You.
Cleanse me from my secret faults,
for I have done wrong and You saw it.
You know how weak I am,
both in soul and in body.
Give me strength, O Lord,
in my frailty and sustain me in my sufferings.
Grant me a prudent judgement, dear Lord,
and let me always be mindful of Your blessings.
Let me retain until the end, Your grace
that has protected me till now.
Amengive me strength o lord - by st ephrem - 26 august 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – ‘Why is this door narrow…?

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One Minute Reflection – 25 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:  Luke 13:22–30

“Strive to enter by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” … Luke 13:24

REFLECTION – “But why is this door narrow, one might ask?   Why does He say it is narrow?   It is a narrow door not because it is oppressive but because it demands that we restrain and limit our pride and our fear, in order to open ourselves to Him with humble and trusting hearts, acknowledging that we are sinners and in need of His forgiveness. This is why it is narrow, to limit our pride, which swells us.” … Pope Francis – Angelus, 21 August 2016luke 13 24 the narow door - but why is this door narrow - pope francis 25 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart.   Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy.   May the intercession of Your faithful servant, St Maria Micaela of the Blessed Sacrament, bring us strength and courage to persevere in our battles against pride.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st maria micaela of the bl sacrament pray for us 25 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Holy Eucharist

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Our Morning Offering – 25 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C

Prayer of Thanksgiving for
the Holy Eucharist
By St Pope John Paul (1920-2005)

O Christ the Saviour,
we give You thanks
for Your redeeming sacrifice,
the only hope of men!
O Christ the Saviour,
we give You thanks
for the eucharistic breaking of bread,
which You instituted
in order to really meet Your brothers,
in the course of the centuries!
O Christ the Saviour,
put into the hearts of the baptised,
the desire to offer themselves with You
and to commit themselves,
for the salvation of their brothers!
You, who are really present
in the Blessed Sacrament,
spread Your blessings
abundantly on Your people
Amenprayer-of-thanksgiving-for-the-holy-eucharist-st-pope-john-paul-14-oct-2018.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 August – “Come and see.”

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One Minute Reflection – 24 August – The Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle of Christ – Today’s Gospel: John 1:45–51

Philip said to him, “Come and see.” … John 1:46

REFLECTION – “Nathanael’s reaction suggests another thought to us – in our relationship with Jesus we must not be satisfied with words alone.   In his answer, Philip offers Nathanael a meaningful invitation:  “Come and see!” (Jn 1: 46).  Our knowledge of Jesus needs above all a first-hand experience – someone else’s testimony is, of course important, for normally the whole of our Christian life begins with the proclamation handed down to us by one or more witnesse, but afterwards, we, ourselves, have to become personally committed, in a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus.” … Pope Benedict XVI – General Audience, 4 November 2006come and see john 1 45 - in our relationship with jesus - pope benedict 24 aug 2019

PRAYER – Almighty Lord and Father, strengthen in us that faith with which St Bartholomew gave himself wholeheartedly to Christ Your Son.   Grant, at his intercession, that Your Church may become the Sacrament of salvation, for all the nations of the earth.   We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord and Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st-bartholomew-pray-for-us-2.jpg
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Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 24 August – O Mother of Jesus and My Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 24 August – Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle and a Marian Saturday

O Mother of Jesus and My Mother
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O Mother of Jesus and my Mother,
let me dwell with you, cling to you
and love you with ever-increasing love.
I promise the honour, love and trust of a child.
Give me a mother’s protection,
for I need your watchful care.
You know better than any other,
the thoughts and desires of the Sacred Heart.
Keep constantly before my mind
the same thoughts, the same desires,
that my heart may be filled with zeal
for the interests of the Sacred Heart of your Divine Son.
Instil in me a love of all that is noble,
that I may no longer be easily turned to selfishness.
Help me, dearest Mother,
to acquire the virtues that God wants of me,
to forget myself always,
to work solely for Him, without fear of sacrifice.
I shall always rely on your help
to be what Jesus wants me to be.
I am His, I am yours, my good Mother!
Give me each day your holy and maternal blessing
until my last evening on earth,
when your Immaculate Heart
will present me to the heart of Jesus in heaven,
there to love and bless you
and your divine Son for all eternity.
Ameno mother of jesus and my mother - bl john henry newman 24 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS for SEASONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – Love the Lord, Love your neighbour

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One Minute Reflection – 23 August – Friday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Today’s Gospel: Matthew 23:34-40 and the Memorial of St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart … You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” … Matthew 22:37,40matthew 22 37 and 40 you shall the lord your god you shall yourneighbour - 23 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Thus, then, the obedient man,with the light of faith, in the truth burning in the furnace of charity … receives his end from Me, his Creator.”…St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Churchthus-then-the-obedient-man-no 2 - st-catherine-of-siena-23-aug-2018.jpg

PRAYER – “God our Father, for love of You, St Rose of Lima left the world and gave herself to a life of penitence, austerity and charity.   Help us by her prayers, so to follow the path of life on earth, in complete love of You and thus of Your children, that we may obtain the fullness of joy in Your presence in heaven and be clothed fit for the wedding feast.  We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-rose-of-lima-pray-for-us-23-aug-2017

 

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Being ‘promoted to the cross’

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One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Tuesday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 20:1–16 and the Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

“So the last will be first and the first last.” … Matthew 20:16

REFLECTION – “You think that the fight for power in the Church is something of these days, eh? It started there, right beside Jesus”.   Yet in the Church it should not be so, (Mt 20:25-26), Jesus explains the true meaning of power.   “But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and the great ones make their authority over them felt.   But it shall not be so among you.   Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.”

When someone is given a higher position – in the world’s eyes – we say, ‘ah, that person has been promoted to…. Yes, that’s a lovely phrase and we in the Church should use it, yes – this person was promoted to the cross, that person was promoted to humiliation. That is true promotion.   It is what makes us more similar to Jesus. ” … Pope Francis – 21 May 2013 Santa Martamatthew 20 16 so the last will be first - when someone is promoted - pope francis 21 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, You filled the saints with strength and courage and gave them the knowledge of unity with You. Grant, we pray, that in imitation of St Pope Pius X, we may defend the Catholic faith and renew all things in Christ, Your Son. Help us Holy Father, to follow the example of St Pius and finally inherit eternal life ,with You and all the saints. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-pius-x-pray-for-us-21 aug 2017 no 2.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – O Holy Spirit of Light and Love

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Our Morning Offering – 21 August – Wednesday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

O Holy Spirit of Light and Love
By St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

O Holy Spirit of Light and Love,
to You I consecrate my heart,
mind and will
for time and eternity.
May I be ever docile
to Your Divine inspirations
and to the teachings
of the Holy Catholic Church
whose infallible guide You are.
May my heart be ever inflamed
with the love of God and love of neighbour.
May my will be ever in harmony with Your Divine Will.
May my life faithfully imitate the life and virtues
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him,
with the Father,
and You, Divine Spirit,
be honour and glory forever.
Amen.o holy spirit of light and love - pope pius X -21 aug 2019

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – “..we are illuminated and made shining by the light…”

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One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Tuesday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:23–30 and the Memorial of St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) “Doctor of Light”

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life...Matthew 19:29and-everyone-who-has-left-matthew-19-29-21-aug-2018

REFLECTION – “Abraham became “the friend of God” (Jam 2,23) because he freely and generously followed the Word of God, his call.   It was not due to any lack on His part that God’s Word gained Abraham’s friendship.   He is perfect from the beginning; “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn 5,58).   But it was that He, who is good, might give Abraham eternal life… Likewise, in the beginning, it was not because He had any need of man that God formed Adam but that He might have someone on whom to bestow His blessings.

Still less was it because He needed our service that He commanded us to follow Him but to win salvation for us.   For to follow our Saviour is to have a share in His salvation, just as following the light is to participate in the light.   When we stand in the light it is not we who illumine the light and cause it to shine but we are illuminated and made shining by the light…  God grants His blessings on those who serve Him because they are serving Him and on those who follow Him because they are following Him but He receives no blessing from them because He is perfect and without need.

If God asks for our service it is that He who is good and merciful might bestow His blessings on those who persevere in His service.   Because, if God has no need of anything, yet we have need of communion with God.   The glory of man is to persevere in the service of God.   That is why our Lord said to His disciples:  “You did not choose me, it was I who chose you” (Jn 15,16), thus indicating that… for having followed the Son of God they had been glorified by Him:  “Father, I will that where I am they also may be, that they may see my glory” (Jn 17,24). … St Irenaeus of Lyons (c.130-c.208) Bishop, theologian and Martyr – Against the heresies, IV, 14,1 ; SC 100when we stand in the light - st irenaeus 20 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-knowing God, let me be able to stand in Your presence with a good conscience.   Help me to avoid anything that would sully my conscience and do all I can to remain united with You  . You made St Bernard burn with zeal for Your house and gave him the grace to enkindle and enlighten others in Your Church.   Grant that by his prayer, we may be filled with the same spirit and always live as children of the Light. Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st bernard pray for us 2

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 20 August – High and Holy God

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Our Morning Offering – 20 August – The Memorial of St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) “Doctor of Light”

High and Holy God
By St Bernard

High and Holy God,
give me this day a word of truth
to silence the lies
that would devour my soul
and kind encouragements
to strengthen me when I fall.
Gracious One,
I come quietly to Your door
needing to receive from Your hands
the nourishment that gives life.
Amen and Amenhigh and holy god by st bernard of clairvaux 20 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 August – “If you would be perfect…”

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One Minute Reflection – 19 August – Monday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 19:16–22 and The Memorial of St John Eudes Orat. (1601-1680) “Apostle of Two Hearts”

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come, follow me.” … Matthew 19:21

REFLECTION – “O Jesus! can anyone declare that he does not desire this great blessing, especially after he has passed through the chief difficulties?   No, no-one can!   We all say we desire it but there is need of more than that, for the Lord to possess entire dominion over the soul.   It is not enough to say so, any more than it was enough for the young man when our Lord told him what he must do if he desired to be perfect…

Enter then, enter, my daughters, into your interior, pass beyond the thought of your own petty works, which are no more, nor even as much, as Christians are bound to perform, let it suffice, that you are God’s servants, do not pursue so much as to catch nothing. Think of the saints, who have entered the Divine Presence and you will see the difference between them and ourselves.   Do not ask for what you do not deserve, nor should we ever think, however much we may have done for God, that we merit the reward of the saints, for we have offended Him.   Oh, humility, humility!   I know not why but I am always tempted to think, that persons who complain so much of aridity in prayer, must be a little wanting in this virtue…  Let us try ourselves, my sisters, or let our Lord try us, He knows well how to do so, although we often pretend to misunderstand Him…

If we turn our backs on Him and go away sorrowfully, like the youth in the Gospel, when He tells us what to do to be perfect, what can God do? for He must proportion the reward to our love for Him.   This love, my daughters, must not be the fabric of our imagination, we must prove it by our works.   Yet do not suppose that our Lord has need of any works of ours, He only expects us to manifest our goodwill… if we continue in it…  doubtless, by persevering in this poverty and detachment of soul, we shall obtain all for which we strive.   But, mark this – it must be on one condition – that we `hold ourselves for unprofitable servants.’ (Lk 12:48) … St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church – Interior Castle, Mansion 3, Chapter 1matthew 19 21 if you would e perfect - oh humility humilty - st teresa of avila 19 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Father of mercies and God of all consolation, You gave us the loving Heart of Your own beloved Son, because of the boundless love by which You have loved us, which no tongue can describe.   May we render You a love that is perfect with hearts made one with His.   Grant, we pray, that our hearts may be brought to perfect unity, each heart with the other and all hearts with the Heart of Jesus….and may the rightful yearnings of our hearts find fulfilment through Him, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. – Collect from Saint John Eudes’ Mass, Gaudeamus, 1668 St John Eudes, Pray for us! amen.st john eudes pray for us 19 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 19 August – O Jesus, Living in Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 19 August – Monday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time and The Memorial of St John Eudes Orat. (1601-1680) “Apostle of Two Hearts”

O Jesus, Living in Mary
By St John Eudes (1601-1680)

O Jesus, living in Mary,
Come and live in Your servants
in the holiness of Your Spirit,
in the fullness of Your Strength,
in the perfection of Your Ways,
in the truth of Your Virtues,
in communion with Your Mysteries.
Come and master the enemy
in Your Holy Spirit
for the glory of the Father.
Ameno jesus living in mary by st john eudes 19 august 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 August –  Injustice and error lead to division and war. 

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One Minute Reflection – 18 August – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?   No, I tell you but rather division.” … Luke 12:51

REFLECTION – “God has come into the world with a message of peace (cf Lk 2:14) and reconciliation (cf Rom 5:11).   By resisting, through sin, the redeeming work of Christ, we become His opponents.   Injustice and error lead to division and war.   “Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until the coming of Christ but, insofar, as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished and make these words come true – “They shall turn their swords into plough-shares and their spears into sickles.   Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Is 2,4).” … Vatican II – Gaudium et spes #78 – Constitution on the Church in the modern worldluke 12 51 - do you think i have come to estalibsh peach - god has come into the world - 18 aug 2019 gaudium et spes 78.jpg

PRAYER – Father of might and power, every good and perfect gift comes to us from You. Implant in our hearts the love of Your name and Your creatures.   Increase our zeal for Your service and Your peace.   Nourish in us what good and tend it with watchful care. Grant that the prayers and caring love of the Blessed Virgin, our Mother, may help us to spread peace in our world.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.blessed virgin holy mother pray for us

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 18 August – To You, O Master

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Our Morning Offering – 18 August – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

To You, O Master
By St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850)

To You, O Master,
who loves all mankind
I hasten on rising from sleep.
By Your mercy,
I go out to do Your work
and I make my prayer to You.
Help me at all times and in all things.
Deliver me from every evil thing of this world
and from pursuit by the devil.
Save me and bring me to Your eternal kingdom,
For You are my Creator,
You inspire all good thoughts in me.
In You is all my hope
and to You I give glory,
now and forever.
Amento you o master by st macarius the wonder worker 18 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 August – “Let the children come to me”

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One Minute Reflection – 18 August – Saturday of the Nineteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 19:13–15 and the Memorial of St Clare of the Cross of Montefalco (c 1269-1308)

“Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”…Matthew 19:14

REFLECTION – “Begin and end the day with prayer. Go to God as a child turns to its mother.  If words don’t come spontaneously to you then say, for example: “Come, Holy Spirit, guide me, protect me, enlighten my thoughts so I can pray.”   Or even better, if you speak to the Virgin Mary, say – “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a mother to me now and help me to pray.” … Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)matthew-19-14-let-the-children-come-to-me-begin and end your day with prayer-18-aug-2019(1)

PRAYER – God almighty Father, grant that we may be instruments of welcome and of that love with which Jesus, Your Son, embraces the littlest ones.   May we be a society of love and of holy parenting of all children, especially those most in need.   Holy Mother, teach us and guide us in prayer and love of God and neighbour.   St Clare of the Cross, pray for us.   We make our prayer through Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st clare of the cross of montefalco pray for us 17 aug 2019