Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 31 May

Thought for the Day – 31 May

Mary, Mother of God, your love is strikingly shown forth in this beautiful Feast of the Visitation.   When you learned from the angel that your cousin Elizabeth was with child and needed your help, you set out to care for her. Neither the long absence from home, nor the inconvenience of a difficult and dangerous journey to the mountain country, kept you from making this mission of love. You thought only of Elizabeth and the assistance you could bring to her. You hastened to be of service.   You lovingly served her until you saw her happily delivered of the child of promise with which God had blessed her.
Help me to strive to imitate your wonderful charity by aiding those who are in need, by sympathising with those who are afflicted, by opening my heart and applying my hands to relieve every form of distress.
Give me love like yours!
Teach me that the test of my following of your Divine Son is practical charity!
One of the invocations in Mary’s litany is “Ark of the Covenant.”
Like the Ark of the Covenant of old, Mary brings God’s presence into the lives of other people.
As David danced before the Ark, John the Baptist leaps for joy.
As the Ark helped to unite the 12 tribes of Israel by being placed in David’s capital,
so Mary has the power to unite all Christians in her son.
Like you, teach me too acclaim and seek the glory of God and sing with you:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
for He has looked with favour on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel
for He remembered His promise of mercy,
the promise He made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

(Lk 1:46-55)

the magnificat

mary lead us to your son

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 24 May

Thought for the Day – 24 May

In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly known as the Litany of Loreto, there are several “official” titles with which the Church honours Mary:  Mother of God;  Queen Assumed into Heaven;  Mirror of Justice;  Seat of Wisdom;  Ark of the Covenant;  Help of Christians.  These titles reflect aspects of Mary’s role in God’s plan, her exalted status as the Mother of God and the many ways she helps God’s people as their mother.   Her role in salvation history is not insignificant and is far from finished. Since the apostolic age, her primary task has been to help the pilgrim Church on her journey to her heavenly home.

Our Lady’s help encompasses the entire Church.   She reaches out to us constantly and her help takes many forms.   She is defender and protectress, teacher and guide, the first Christian and our model in faith.   She is a comforting mother embracing us in every aspect of our humanity.   She is also aware of Satan and his minions and intervenes for us as the New Eve who is neither fooled nor intimidated by his deceptions.   The title “Help of Christians” truly embodies her role of co-operation in our redemption, her maternal mediation of grace in our lives and her advocacy for us before God.

Our Lady, Help of Christians, help us, pray for us!

OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PRAY FOR US

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS

The Glory of Eucharistic Adoration

The Glory of Eucharistic Adoration

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is one of the best ways to spend time with Jesus. There is so much noise around us these days.   Spending a quiet hour with Jesus in humble adoration will bring many graces and blessings to you.    Things that you have never even considered before will now be made present to you.    Bad things that would have happened to you will now not happen.    Here are some thoughts about what Jesus is asking you during this time.    As He told Peter, “Could you not spend one hour with me?” St. Peter Julian Eymard tells us all how to spend an hour in Adoration!

“MY CHILD, you need not know much in order to please Me; only love Me dearly.   Speak to Me as you would talk to your mother, if she had taken you in her arms.    Have you no one to recommend to Me?   Tell Me the names of your relations, of your friends; after each name add what you wish Me to do for them.   Ask a great deal: I love generous hearts that forget themselves for others.

TELL ME about the poor whom you want to help, the sick whom you have seen suffer, the sinner whom you would convert, the persons who are alienated from you and whose affections you wish to win back.   For all recite a fervent prayer.   Remind Me that I have promised to grant every prayer that comes from the heart;  and surely the prayers are heartfelt which we say for those whom we love and who love us.

HAVE YOU no favours to ask for yourself’?   Write, if you like, a long list of all your wishes of all the needs of your soul–and come and read it to Me.   Tell Me simply how self-indulgent you are, how proud, how touchy, how selfish, how cowardly, how idle; ask Me to help you to improve.   Poor child! Do not blush!   There are in heaven many saints who had the same faults as you;  they prayed to Me, and, little by little, they were cured.

DO NOT hesitate to ask for the goods of body and mind–for health, for memory, for success.   I can give everything and I always give when the gifts would make souls more holy.    What do you want today, My child?   Oh, if you knew how I longed to do you good!

HAVE YOU no plans to interest you?   Tell Me about them.   Do they concern your vocation?   What do you think of?   What would you like?   Are you planning some pleasure for your mother, for your family, for your guardian?   What do you wish to do for them?

AND HAVE you no thoughts of zeal for Me?   Are you not anxious to do a little good for the souls of your friends, for those whom you love and who, perhaps, forget Me?   Tell Me who interests you, what motives urge you, what means you wish to take.

CONFIDE TO Me your failures;  I will show you the cause.   Whom do you wish to see interested in your work?   I am the Master of all hearts, My child and I lead them gently where I please.   I will place about you those who are necessary to you; never fear!

HAVE YOU nothing to annoy you?   My child, tell Me your annoyances, with every detail. Who has pained you?   Who as wounded your self-love?   Who has treated you contemptuously?   Tell Me all and then say that you forgive and forget;  and I will give you My blessing.

DO YOU dread something painful?   Is there in your soul a vague fear which seems unreasonable and yet torments you?   Trust fully in My providence.   I am here, I see everything; I will not leave you.

ARE THERE about you friends who seem less kind than formerly, who neglect you through indifference or forgetfulness, without your having consciously done anything to wound them?   Pray for them, and I will restore them to you, if there companionship is good for you.

HAVE YOU no joys to tell Me?   Why not confide to Me your pleasures?   Tell Me what has happened since yesterday to console you, to make you look happy, to give you joy.   An unexpected visit has done you good;  a fear has been suddenly dispelled; you have met with unlooked for success; you have received some mark of affection in a letter, a present;  some trial has left you stronger than you supposed.    All these things, My child, I obtained for you.   Why are you not grateful?   Why do you not say, “I thank you?” Gratitude draws benefits and the benefactor loves to be reminded of His bounty.

HAVE YOU no promises to make Me?   You know I read the very bottom of your heart. Men are deceived but not God; be frank.

ARE YOU resolved to avoid that occasion of sin, to give up the object which leads you astray–not to read that book which excites your imagination;  to withdraw your friendship from that person who is irreligious and whose presence disturbs the peace of your soul?   Will you go at once and be kind to that companion who annoyed you?

WELL, MY child, go now and resume your daily work.   Be silent, be honest, be patient, be charitable, love very much the Blessed Mother of Jesus;  and tomorrow bring Me a heart even more devoted and loving.   Tomorrow I shall have new favours for you.”

With Ecclesiastical Approval

“I love You Lord Jesus,
my love above all things.
I repent with my whole heart
for having offended You.
Never permit me to separate myself
from You again,
grant that I may love You always
and then do with me what You will!”

I LOVE YOU LORD JESUS

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering

Our Morning Offering

The Memorare
By St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Doctor mellifluus (Mellifluous Doctor)

Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions
but in thy mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen

THE MEMORARE - ST BERNARD

Posted in MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Announcing a Novena from Ascension to Pentecost Beginning Friday 26 May – the Day after Ascension Thursday

Announcing a Novena from Ascension to Pentecost
Beginning Friday 26 May – the Day after Ascension Thursday

The novena in honour of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas, since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His Apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost.    It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church.    Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

announcing - entecost novena

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

1 May – The Memorial of St Joseph the Worker

1 May – The Memorial of St Joseph the Worker

Let us Pray:

Prayer to St Joseph the Worker
By St Pope John XXIII

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them.
You too knew trial, labour and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life,
your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy
through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you and with Mary,
His tender Mother.
Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them
and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH THE WORKER BY ST POPE JOHN XXIIIstjosephtheworker-pray for us 2

 

Posted in PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Pope Francis in Egypt – April 28 & 29

Pope Francis in Egypt – April 28 & 29

In his first international trip of the year, Pope Francis will be traveling to Cairo, Egypt on April 28 and 29, with the itinerary focusing on inter-faith dialogue, especially in hopes of combatting violence and Christian persecution in the area.

The pope arrived in Cairo April 28 for courtesy visits with both political and religious leaders.    While in Cairo, the Holy Father will deliver a speech to an international conference on peace along with the grand imam of al-Azhar University and Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.    He will celebrate Mass with the Catholic community in Cairo the next day and meet with bishops, clergy, religious and seminarians before returning to Rome on April 29.

The pope’s presence in Egypt comes as a welcome sign of hope as the region grieves from the Palm Sunday attacks on the Orthodox Coptic churches in Tanta and Alexandria.    The first of the attacks, a bomb at a Coptic Christian church in the northern city of Tanta, Egypt killed 27 people and wounded at least 71 more, according to BBC News.    A second blast took place at a Christian church in Alexandria, killing 17 and injuring another 35. ISIS has claimed responsibility for both attacks.     Coptic Christians are the largest religious minority in the Middle East, but are also the most persecuted.

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis’ trip to Egypt this weekend will go on as planned, despite the Palm Sunday terrorist attacks.    Pope Francis has voiced his closeness to the Coptic community and prayed for those affected during his Palm Sunday Mass. “To my dear brother, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II,” Pope Francis said, “to the Coptic Church and to all the dear Egyptian nation, I express my deep condolences. I pray for the dead and the injured, and I am close in spirit to the family members [of the deceased and injured] and to the entire community.”    Pope Francis went on to pray, “May the Lord convert the hearts of the people who are sowing terror, violence and death and also the hearts of those who make and traffic weapons.”

Prayer for Pope Francis

Please pray for the safety of Pope Francis during his travels to Egypt and for the success of his pastoral mission to foster peace and to help end the violence against Christians in Egypt.

O God, Shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
Look favourably on Your servant Francis,
whom You have set at the head of Your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that, by word and example,
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.

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. Amen

PRAYER FOR POPE FRANICIS

Pope Francis Schedule in Egypt

Times listed are local, with Central Daylight Time in parentheses.

Friday, April 28 (Rome, Cairo)

— 10:45 a.m. (3:45 a.m.), Departure from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for Cairo.

— 2 p.m. (7 a.m.), Arrival at Cairo airport. Official welcoming ceremony at the Heliopolis presidential palace. Courtesy visits with el-Sissi and Sheik el-Tayeb. Speeches by the grand imam and the pope to participants in an international conference on peace.

— 4:40 p.m. (9:40 a.m.), Meeting with local authorities. Speeches by el-Sissi and Pope Francis. Courtesy visit to Pope Tawadros. Speeches by Pope Tawadros and Pope Francis.

Saturday, April 29 (Cairo, Rome)

— 10:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m.), Mass in Cairo. Homily by pope.

— 12:15 p.m. (5:15 a.m.), Lunch with Egypt’s bishops and the papal entourage.

— 3:15 p.m. (8:15 a.m.), Prayer gathering with clergy, men and women religious, and seminarians. Speech by pope. Farewell ceremony.

— 5 p.m. (10 a.m.), Departure from Cairo airport for Rome.

— 8:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.), Arrival at Rome’s Ciampino airport.

Posted in NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Two – Holy Saturday

Divine Mercy Novena

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday.    He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
“These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives.    It was on their account that I said: ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.’    The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy.”
During the Solemn Novena leading to Divine Mercy Sunday,
the Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be offered each day for the
day’s intentions.

DVMERCYNOVEA-DAY TWO

DAY TWO:  HOLY SATURDAY

“Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.”

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard — upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing.    For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

* In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun “us” since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use.

PRAY THE CHAPLET here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/divine-mercy-novena-day-one-good-friday/

 

Posted in NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Divine Mercy Novena – Day One – Good Friday

Divine Mercy Novena

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday.    He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
“These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives.    It was on their account that I said: ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.’    The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy.”
During the Solemn Novena leading to Divine Mercy Sunday,
the Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be offered each day for the
day’s intentions.

DIVINE MECY NOVENA - DAY ONE GOOD FRIDAY

DAY ONE:  GOOD FRIDAY

“Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners,

and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen

THE CHAPLET

chapmap.jpg

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4. Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

 

 

 

 

Posted in HOLY WEEK, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Holy Week – Wednesday 12 April – The Last Day of Lent

Holy Week – Wednesday 12 April  – The Last Day of Lent

He freed us from the power of the enemy.
This is the last day of Lent.

It is “Spy Wednesday,” remembering the day Judas asked,

“What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”

We read the third song of the Servant who suffers.
And we sense the acceptance, the surrender and the peace of Jesus.

I can imagine the treachery and tranquility of this day,

as I go through the real life drama of my day.

I can begin to feel the joy of the liberation being offered me.

If I haven’t done so already,
this can be a wonderful day to pray through the Stations of the Cross.

The Son of Man came not to be served,
but to serve
and to give his life
as a ransom for many.

Communion Antiphon  Matthew 20:28

12 APRIL STATIONS 11 & 12

The Eleventh Station:
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

ST 11

It is hard to imagine a God being nailed to a cross by His own creatures.   It is even more difficult for my mind to understand a love that permitted such a thing to happen!   As those men drove heavy nails into Your hands and feet, dear Jesus, did You offer the pain as reparation for some particular human weakness and sin?   Was the nail in Your right hand for those who spend their lives in dissipation and boredom?

Was the nail in Your left hand in reparation for all consecrated souls who live lukewarm lives?   Were You stretching out Your arms to show us how much You love us?   As the feet that walked the hot, dusty roads were nailed fast, did they cramp up in a deadly grip of pain to make reparation for all those who so nimbly run the broad road of sin and self-indulgence?

It seems, dear Jesus, Your love has held You bound hand and foot as Your heart pleads for a return of love.   You seem to shout from the top of the hill “I love you – come to me – see, I am held fast – I cannot hurt you – only you can hurt Me.”   How very hard is the heart that can see such love and turn away.   Is it not true I too have turned away when I did not accept the Father’s Will with love?   Teach me to keep my arms ever open to love, to forgive and to render service – willing to be hurt rather than hurt, satisfied to love and not be loved in return.
Amen

The Twelfth Station:
Jesus Dies on the Cross

st 12

God is dead!   No wonder the earth quaked, the sun hid itself, the dead rose and Mary stood by in horror.   Your human body gave up it’s soul in death but Your Divinity, dear Jesus, continued to manifest its power.   All creation rebelled as the Word made Flesh departed from this world.   Man alone was too proud to see and too stubborn to acknowledge truth.

Redemption was accomplished!   Man would never have an excuse to forget how much You loved him.   The thief on Your right saw something he could not explain – he saw a man on a tree and knew He was God.  His need made him see his own guilt and Your innocence.   The Promise of eternal life made the remaining hours of his torture. endurable.

A common thief responded to Your love with deep Faith, Hope, and Love.   He saw more than his eyes envisioned – he felt a Presence he could not explain and would not argue with.   He was in need and accepted the way God designed to help him.

Forgive our pride, dear Jesus as we spend hours speculating, days arguing and often a lifetime in rejecting Your death, which is a sublime mystery.   Have pity on those whose intelligence leads them to pride because they never feel the need to reach out to the Man of Sorrows for consolation.
Amen

Stations of the Cross by Mother Angelica

Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord – 9 April 2017

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord – 9 April 2017

This Sunday we hold palm branches in our hands,
and wave them to greet our Lord’s entry into the city of our salvation.
Last year’s palms were burned to form the ashes
that marked our foreheads to begin this Lenten journey.
We can place these palm branches – perhaps from each member of the family –
in a special place in our home (maybe cutting a small piece and putting it some place where I work).

Each day this week they can represent our celebration of His love for me.
That symbol can say so many words –
all that I am about to celebrate and accept as love for me,
and all the entry into Jerusalem experiences in my life.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!

STATIONS-PALM SUNDAY

The Fifth Station:
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

st5

My Jesus, Your tormentors enlisted a Simon of Cyrene to help You carry Your cross.   Your humility is beyond my comprehension.   Your power upheld the whole universe and yet You permit one of Your creatures to help You carry a cross.   I imagine Simon was reluctant to take part in Your shame.   He had no idea that all who watched and jeered at him would pass into oblivion while his name would go down in history and eternity as the one who helped his God in need.   Is it not so with me, dear Jesus?   Even when I reluctantly carry my cross as Simon did, it benefits my soul.

If I keep my eyes on You and watch how You suffered, I will be able to bear my cross with greater fortitude.   Were you trying to tell all those who suffer from prejudice to have courage?   Was Simon a symbol of all those who are hated because of race, coloUr and creed?

Simon wondered as he took those beams upon his shoulders, why he was chosen for such a heavy burden and now he knows.   Help me Jesus, to trust your loving Providence as you permit suffering to weave itself in and out of my life.   Make me understand that You looked at it and held it fondly before You passed it on to me.   You watch me and give me strength just as You did Simon.   When I enter Your Kingdom, I shall know as he knows, what marvels Your Cross has wrought in my soul.
Amen

The Sixth Station:
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

st6

My Jesus, where were all the hundreds of peoples whose bodies and souls were healed by you?   Where were they when You needed someone to give You the least sign of comfort?   Ingratitude must have borne down upon Your heart and made the cross nearly impossible to carry.   There are times I too feel all my efforts for Your Kingdom are futile and end in nothingness.   Did your eyes roam through the crowd for the comfort of just one individual – one sign of pity – one sign of grief?

My heart thrills with a sad joy when I think of one woman, breaking away from fear and human respect and offering.   You her thin veil to wipe Your bleeding Face.   Your loving heart, ever watching for the least sign of love, imprinted the Image of your torn Face upon it! How can You forget Yourself so completely and reward such a small act of kindness?

I must admit, I have been among those who were afraid to know You rather than like Veronica.   She did not care if the whole world knew she loved You.   Heartbroken Jesus, give me that quality of the soul so necessary to witness to spread Your Word – to tell all people of Your love for them.   Send many into Your Vineyard so the people of all nations may receive the Good News.   Imprint Your Divine Image upon my soul and let the thin veil of my human nature bear a perfect resemblance to your loving Spirit.
Amen

Stations of the Cross by Mother Angelica

Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

LENTEN REFLECTION – The Fifth Week – Friday 7 April 2017

Set us free.
On this Friday before Good Friday,

it might be most appropriate to make the Stations.

Our desire is becoming more focused and more intense.

After our weeks of reflection, we know that our selfishness has placed us in ruts,

has made us slaves to some very unhappy and sometimes death-dealing patterns.

The celebration of our freedom and healing is close at hand.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS TEMPLATE

Jesus carried our sins in his own body on the cross
so that we could die to sin and live in holiness;
by his wounds we have been healed.

The Communion Antiphon – 1 Peter 2:24

st1

1st Station
The First Station:
Jesus Is Condemned To Death

My Jesus, the world still has You on trial.   It keeps asking who You are and why You make the demands You make.   It asks over and over the question, If You are God’s Son, why do You permit the world to be in the state it is in?   Why are You so silent?

Though the arrogance of the world angers me, I must admit that silently, in the depths of my soul, I too have these questions. Your humility frustrates me and makes me uncomfortable.   Your strength before Pilate as You drank deeply from the power of the Father, gives me the answer to my question – The Father’s Will.   The Father permits many sufferings in my life but it is all for my good.   If only I too could be silent in the face of worldly prudence – steadfast in the faith when all seems lost – calm when accused unjustly – free from tyranny of human respect – ready to do the Father’s Will no matter how difficult.

Silent Jesus, give us all the graces we need to stand tall in the face of the ridicule of the world.   Give the poor the strength not to succumb to their privation but to be ever aware of their dignity as sons of God.  Grant that we might not bend to the crippling disease of worldly glory but be willing to be deprived of all things rather than lose Your friendship.   My Jesus, though we are accused daily of being fools, let the vision of Quiet Dignity standing before Monstrous Injustice, give us all the courage to be Your followers.
Amen

st2


The Second Station:
Jesus Carries His Cross

How could any human impose such a burden upon Your torn and bleeding body, Lord Jesus?   Each movement of the cross drove the thorns deeper into Your Head.   How did You keep the hatred from welling up in Your Heart?   How did the injustice of it all not ruffle your peace?  The Father’s Will was hard on You – Why do I complain when it is hard on me?

I see injustice and am frustrated and when my plans to alleviate it seems futile, I despair.   When I see those burdened with poverty suffer ever more and cross is added to cross my heart is far from serene. I utterly fail to see the dignity of the cross as it is carried with love. I would so much rather be without it.

My worldly concept is that suffering, like food, should be shared equally.  How ridiculous I am, dear Lord.   Just as we do not all need the same amount of material food, neither do we need the same amount of spiritual food and that is what the cross is in my life, isn’t it – spiritual food proportional to my needs.
Amen

Stations of the Cross by Mother Angelica


Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 18 March

Our Morning Offering – 18 March

The Elder Brother’s Prayer

Teach me, my Lord,
to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life,
in disappointments,
in the thoughtlessness of those I trusted,
in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.
Let me put myself aside,
to think of the happiness of others,
to hide my little pains and heartaches,
so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.
Teach me to profit by the suffering
that comes across my path.
Let me so use it that it may make me
patient, not irritable.
That it may make me broad in my forgiveness,
not narrow, haughty and overbearing.
May no one be less good
for having come within my influence.
No one less pure, less true, less kind,
less noble for having been a fellow traveler
in our journey toward Eternal Life.
As I go my rounds from one distraction to another,
let me whisper from time to time,
a word of love to Thee.
May my life be lived in the supernatural,
full of power for good,
and strong in its purpose of sanctity.
Amen

PRODIGAL ELDER BROTHER'S PRAYER

 

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 2 March

Our Morning Offering – 2 March

Make my heart, Jesus, one with Yours,
that I may love others as You have loved me,
not for selfish gain but for Your sake alone.
By the power of Your Sacred Heart,
like the power of fire to transform
everything to itself,
make us one in loving You
by drawing all humantity to Yourself.
For You are the Paschal Lamb,
offered for sins,
who, in the Blessed Sacrament,
shines out like a spiritual rainbow.
You radiate in this new
and everlasting covenant,
the very beauty of paradise,
always before the eyes of the Father,
perpetuating here Your perfect sacrifice
on the Cross,
a sacrifice so pleasing that the Father grants
everything good, asked for
in Your Holy Name.
Amen
By Fr Vincent Martin Lucia

make-my-heart-jesus-one-with-yours-fr-vincent-martin-lucia

 

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 28 February

Quote of the Day – 28 February

“Those on earth who contemplate the wounds of My Face

shall in heaven behold it radiant with glory.”

card_214_golden_arrow_1201-052710-g-final-front-web

Jesus to Sr Mary of St Peter in 1844 and dictated The Golden Arrow Prayer

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 24 February

Our Morning Offering – 24 February

An Act of Offering  (Prayers to Christ in the Eucharist by Servant of God Fr Benedict Groeschel)

O Lord,
I offer You myself.
You have given Yourself to me –
now I wish to give myself to You.
I give You my body, that it may be chaste and pure.
I give You my soul, that it may be free from sin.
I give You my heart, that I may always love You.
I give You every breath that I breathe, especially my last.
I give You myself in life and in death,
knowing this alone brings the happiness I seek, amen.

o-lord-i-give-you-myself-fr-benedict-groeschel

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 20 February

Our Morning Offering – 20 February

The Angel of Fatima’s Prayer

O Most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
I adore Thee profoundly.
I offer Thee
the most precious Body, Blood, Soul
and Divinity of Jesus Christ
present in all the tabernacles of the world,
in reparation for the outrages,
sacrileges and indifferences
by which He is offended.
By the infinite merits of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary
I beg the conversion of poor sinners.
Amen

the-angel-of-fatimas-prayer

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 18 February

Our Morning Offering – 18 February

Excerpt from the ‘Universal Prayer’ – attributed to Pope Clement XI

Lord, I believe in You: increase my faith.
I trust in You: strengthen my trust.
I love You: let me love You more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship You as my first beginning,
I long for You as my last end,
I praise You as my constant helper,
And call on You as my loving protector.

Guide me by Your wisdom,
Correct me with Your justice,
Comfort me with Your mercy,
Protect me with Your power.

I offer You, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on You;
My words: to have You for their theme;
My actions: to reflect my love for You;
My sufferings: to be endured for Your greater glory.

Grant this through Christ our Lord, amen.

the-universal-prayerexcerpt-pope-clement-xi

Posted in ADVENT, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DEVOTIO, LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Our Morning Offering – 13 December

Our Morning Offering – 13 December

Lord Jesus Christ,
by Your patience in suffering
You made holy earthly pain
and gave us the example
of obedience to Your Father’s will:
Be near me
in the trials of my day
and in time of weakness;
sustain me by Your grace,
that my strength and courage
may not fail;
bless me according to Your will;
and help me always to believe
that what happens to me here
is of little account
if You hold me in eternal life,
my Lord and my God. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, 1979, adapted

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