An AMAZING Experience!

At my parish of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral we have an annual tradition called “Teaching Tuesdays”. On each of these series of Tuesdays we attend the 6:30pm Mass and afterward walk across to Smith Hall for an inspirational talk given by our Cathedral’s rector Father John Lankeit (http://www.faithandlifetv.com/channels/tv-mass/home)–my all-time favorite speaker!  Father Lankeit recently began a course on contemplative spiritual direction (which basically means helping people learn to pray on a deeper level). He found what he’s been learning so far has to be so fascinating that he’s chosen it as this year’s Teaching Tuesdays theme, the title being “Teach Us To Pray” (Luke 11:1). Having been able to already glimpse a little of what we’ll be discussing in his homilies, I can tell that it’s going to be an AMAZING experience! I’d like to invite anyone reading this post to consider visiting our Cathedral on the Tuesdays of February 24 through March 24 to experience this “amazingness” for themselves. (Even if you aren’t Catholic, I’m certain you will find it enjoyable. Father Lankeit is such an excellent speaker!) The info is listed below, and if you need more info, you can contact me at amoiesu@yahoo.com. Oh, and if you end up missing the first one or two talks, don’t worry. It’s the kind of series that you can still gain a lot from if you miss part of it.

Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona

Father Lankeit’s words on “Teach Us To Pray”:

http://simonjude.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/888650.012515.pdf —page 3
http://simonjude.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/888650.111815.pdf —page 3 http://simonjude.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/888650.020815.pdf —page 3

Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona
Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral
6351 N. 27th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85017
602-242-1300
contactus@simonjude.org
http://www.simonjude.org

“Teaching Tuesdays”

Fr. Lankeit presents:Lord, Teach Me to Pray
~Luke 11:1“Teaching Tuesdays” is a series of talks in a casual setting. This time the Lenten series is on prayer.  There is something for every person from all faith levels. Regardless of the state of your prayer life, there is something for you.Please join us on:Tuesday, February 24
Tuesday, March 3
Tuesday, March 10
Tuesday, March 17
And Tuesday, March 24In Smith Hall at 7:30 p.m.
(Following the 6:30 p.m. Mass)

HOW BEING A LITTLE FLOWER HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

In September of 2011, Fr. John Lankeit, Rector of Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral felt the Lord calling him to create a Perpetual Adoration Chapel at SSJ. Unsure of how to proceed with obtaining the necessary plans and resources, he enlisted the help of 12 young ladies in the diocese to serve as intercessory prayer warriors for this intention. Undertaking a daily Rosary, the prayer girls were delighted to see the fruits of their prayers unveiled in June of 2012. Since then the Little Flowers of St. Therese, as they elected to be called, have been growing in numbers and continue to pray a daily Rosary for various intentions and other needs throughout the diocese. Over the years, the Intercessory Prayer Group has expanded and developed its mission to include Holy Service, Vocational Experience, and Public Representation of the Church.

     When I heard that Father Lankeit was calling for prayer warriors for the installation of a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, I had only just begun the RCIA program; but I felt like it was a good way to serve the Church that I had decided to join and a good way to make the Rosary (which I had just learned how to say) a part of my life. Not being that good with words, my mom helped me with an e-mail expressing my desire to join the group and I was soon accepted. October 7, 2011 was the official start. Little did I know that God had way more graces in store than I thought would be brought about by this decision. My life was about to be changed forever, in more ways than one.

          Before I became a Little Flower of St. Therese, I hardly ever prayed. Oh, sure I said a little “Help!” or “Thank you!” when I was feeling particularly anxious or happy, but I didn’t often sit down and have a serious prayer time. In becoming a Little Flower, however, I learned to discipline myself and make daily prayer time a top priority. My daily goal went from amusing myself with whatever frivolous thing struck my fancy to setting aside time to bring other people’s concerns before the Lord in what I found to be one of the most powerful, beautiful, and rewarding prayers ever, the Most Holy Rosary. For the girl who hardly ever prayed, prayer became a habit and a passion, even at times a hobby.

     Better yet, there was a method to my madness. I discovered the mission and joy of intercession: making other people’s lives happier through the simple act of prayer, and more importantly, invoking the prayers of the Blessed Mother and the saints. Intercessory prayer now seeps into just about every aspect of my life, and it is very welcome to do so!  For instance, I have picked up the habit of praying for my priests at Mass, and also praying for the penitents and priests during the Confession times each Tuesday and Saturday. This can actually be pretty fun!

    The Rosary has indeed become a part of my life, and a great one at that! Through the Rosary, I have received many gifts, blessings, inspirations (this essay for instance, which God helped me find the words to write), and “mini-miracles”.  One “mini-miracle” that stands out in my memory is when my mom and I were driving to the Cathedral for Mass one Tuesday night. We hadn’t realized the gas tank was just about empty until we got on the freeway; and Mom didn’t want to be late to Mass, so we were hoping not to have to stop at the gas station even though church was over 15 miles away. We popped in our Rosary CD and decided to pray about it. Believe it or not, those two drops of gas got us all the way there! Go Mary!

      The Perpetual Adoration Chapel, the original purpose of our Little Flowers of St. Therese Prayer Group, has been a source of great graces as well. For about a year, since November 2011, I had been given the cross of scrupulosity. It was a confusion and sometimes quite a torment, but talking with my mom helped me to not let my worries interfere with Communion or Confession.  Still, God wished to relieve me of this burden since it was always a struggle in my mind. As a birthday gift, in September 2012, I got a Holy Face medal with a paper containing these words: “Whoever wears this medal and, if possible, pays a weekly visit to the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday in a spirit of reparation for the outrages received by the Holy Face of Our Blessed Savior during His Passion and those bestowed on Him every day in the Sacrament of His divine love, will be granted the gift of a strong Faith and the grace to fly to its defense conquering if need be all interior and exterior difficulties. Moreover, they are promised a happy death with the special assistance of Christ Himself.” Wanting to seize the chance at a holy death, I was eager to take advantage of this promise. I started wearing the medal to Adoration on Tuesday nights, even though it wasn’t yet blessed. Later, that December 2012, I finally got my medal blessed. So the next Tuesday night Adoration I wore my now blessed Holy Face medal and offered my Adoration time for the described intention. On the way home, my mind was enlightened and I realized that healing had finally been granted me. The Chapel I had prayed for as a Little Flower was my healing and I am now worry-free! Thank You Jesus! The Chapel has also been a source of many other graces, blessings, and inspirations too numerous to name.

 

As I discern a possible call to the Order of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration(that I heard of through the Little Flowers Intercessory Prayer Group), I find that my being a Little Flower has greatly aided this discernment journey. It was through being a Little Flower that I learned what a charism is. The guaranteed minimum of daily prayer as a Little Flower has helped me maintain a prayerful attitude in my discernment journey even in it’s more rocky areas. Also, the grace of love for Eucharistic Adoration and intercessory prayer I have acquired as a Little Flower have been big pointers to this Order for me as I consider one of life’s most important questions: “What are God’s plans for my future?”

     Being a Little Flower is truly awesome, and the adventure is not even close to over! There is MUCH more to come! My thanks to the Holy Spirit for inspiring this and to Father Lankeit for putting it into action! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

St. Jean Marie Vianney said: “If we are not praying, we are losing the battle.”

THE PRIESTHOOD — WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GIFT!

ALTER CHRISTUS! I thank God every day for this amazing mystery! You can totally see Jesus in the priest, not just in his administering of sacraments and sacramentals, but even in his words, his smile, his fatherly and self-giving attitude, his teaching and good example! The saints had the utmost reverence for this sacred vocation, and St. Francis of Assisi died a transitional deacon because he didn’t think himself worthy of the priesthood!

Saints’ Quotes on the Priesthood:
“If I saw an angel and a priest, I would bend my knee; first to the priest and then to the angel.”   — Saint Francis of Assisi
“The entire Church cannot give to God as much honor, nor obtain so many graces, as a single priest by celebrating a single Mass; for the greatest honor that the whole Church without priests could give to God would consist in offering to Him in sacrifice the lives of all men.”   — St. Alphonsus Liguori (The Dignity and Duties of the Priest)
“As the Word of God created Heaven and earth, so the words of the priest create Jesus Christ.”   — Saint Jerome
“They (priests) are My anointed ones, and I call them My Christs, because I have given them the office of administering Me to you, and have placed them like fragrant flowers in the mystical body of the holy Church. The angel himself has no such dignity, for I have given it to those men whom I have chosen for My ministers, and whom I have appointed as earthly angels in this life.”   — Jesus to Saint Catherine of Siena (Dialogue)
“Oh, how very great is their power. A word falls from their lips and the body of Christ is there substantially formed from the matter of bread, and the Incarnate Word descended from Heaven, is found really present on the table of the altar! Never did Divine goodness give such power to the Angels. The Angels abide by the order of God, but the priests take Him in their hands, distribute Him to the faithful, and partake of Him as food for themselves.”   — Saint Laurence Justinian
“Who is the priest? He is the man of God who brings to souls enlightening truth, conquering love, edifying sanctity. He must show forth in himself the beauty of the God-Man Whom he represents.”   — Saint Pius X
“When people wish to destroy religion, they begin by attacking the priest, because when there is no longer any priest there is no sacrifice, and where there is no longer any sacrifice, there is no religion”   — Saint John Vianney
“Let Christian families consider it one of their most sublime privileges to give priests to the Church; and so let them offer their sons to the sacred ministry with joy and gratitude.”
— Pope St. John XXIII (Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia)
“O wonderful dignity of the priests in their hands, as in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, the Son of God becomes incarnate.”   — Saint Augustine
“Without priests there would be no Saints on this earth.”   — Saint Ignatius
“After God, the priest is everything. Leave a parish 20 years without priests; they will worship beasts.”   — Saint John Vianney

Spiritual Warfare

THE BASICS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

A SCRIPTURAL STUDY

GENESIS 3
1 SAMUEL 16:14-23
TOBIT CHAPTER 6
TOBIT CHAPTER 8
MATTHEW 4:1-11
MATTHEW 4:24
MATTHEW 7:22
MATTHEW 8:16
MATTHEW 8:28-34
MATTHEW 9:32-34
MATTHEW 10:8
MATTHEW 11:18
MATTHEW 12:22-32
MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43
MATTHEW 15:22
MATTHEW 17:14-20
Some manuscripts add Matthew 17:21 “But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” (RSVCE)
MATTHEW 25:41
MARK 1:29-39
MARK 3:15
MARK 3:20-30
MARK 5:1-20
MARK 6:13
MARK 7:24-30
MARK 9:38-39
MARK 16:17
LUKE 4:1-13
LUKE 4:31-37
LUKE 8:12
LUKE 8:26-39
LUKE 9:37-43
LUKE 9:49-50
LUKE 10:17-20
LUKE 11:14-26
JOHN 8:44
JOHN 13:2
JOHN 10:19-21
ACTS 10:38
ACTS 19:13-16
1 CORINTHIANS 10:20-21
EPHESIANS 4:25-32
EPHESIANS 6:10-20
1 TIMOTHY 3:6-7
1 TIMOTHY 4:1-5
2 TIMOTHY 2:25-26
HEBREWS 2:14
JAMES 2:14-26
JAMES 3:14-18
JAMES 4:7
1 PETER 5:6-11
1 JOHN 3:4-10
JUDE 1:9
REVELATION 2:10
REVELATION 9:20
REVELATION CHAPTER 12
REVELATION 16:13-14
REVELATION 18:2
REVELATION CHAPTER 20

WEAPONS

Invoking the Most Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
Images of the Cross and Crucifixes.
Invoking, and having a devotion to, the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.
The Most Blessed Sacrament.
St. Benedict Medal.
The Hail Mary.
Holy Mass.
Miraculous Medal.
Saying the Memorare and St. Michael Prayer (especially together and in that order).
Penance.
Brown Scapular.
Rosaries (the beads).
The Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.
Prayer and fasting.
Reading and quoting Sacred Scripture.
The Seven Sacraments.
Sacramentals. (3 kinds of sacramentals: priestly blessings, exorcisms, blessed objects of devotion. Common “blessed objects of devotion”: holy water, holy candles, Ash Wednesday ashes, Palm Sunday palms, crucifixes, medals, rosaries, scapulars, cord of St. Philomena, holy images, & the church building. Benefits: actual graces, forgiveness of venial sins, remission of temporal punishment, physical health and material blessings, protection from demons. Other sacramentals include benediction and the church building’s Stations of the Cross.)
The Most Holy Rosary (the prayer).
Exorcists. (If you know someone you seriously think may be possessed, you may wish to seek help from an exorcist. An exorcist is someone the Church has appointed for the special task of casting out devils. They are the experts on spiritual warfare. Your parish priest is able to put you in contact with an exorcist, if needed.)
The Sign of the Cross.
St. Louis De Montfort’s method of Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
The Jesus Prayer.
Our Lord Jesus.
Our Lady Mary.
The Saints and Angels, but especially: St. Michael, St. Philomena, St. John Vianney, St. Benedict, and Blessed Bronislava of Poland.

PATRONS

The Blessed Mother
Guardian Angel
St. Michael
St. Philomena
St. Padre Pio
St. Mary Magdalene
St. Martha
St. George
St. Margaret of Antioch
St. Raphael
St. John Vianney
St. Martha
St. Margaret of Antioch
St. Benedict
St. Therese of Lisieux
Blessed Bronislava of Poland

PRAYERS

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by 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.
St. Michael Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
The Most Holy Rosary http://www.onerosaryaday.org/pray-the-rosary.html
Prayer or Blessing Against Storms
(At each ‘†’, make the Sign of The Cross) Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace.† God became man,† and the Word was made flesh.† Christ was born of a Virgin.† Christ suffered.† Christ was crucified.† Christ died.† Christ rose from the dead.† Christ ascended into Heaven.† Christ conquers.† Christ reigns.† Christ orders.† May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning† Christ went through their midst in Peace,† and the word was made flesh.† Christ is with us with Mary.† Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Judah, the Root David, has won.† Holy God!† Holy Powerful God!† Holy Immortal God!† Have mercy on us. Amen!
Prayer To Defeat The Work Of Satan
O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg You to destroy the power of your greatest enemy — the evil spirits. Cast them in to the deepest recesses of hell and chain them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom, which You have created and which is rightfully yours. Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I repeat this prayer out of pure love for You with every beat of my heart and with every breath that I take. Amen.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.
Prayer to Obtain the Grace of all the World’s Masses
Eternal Father we humbly offer Thee our poor presence and that of the whole of humanity from the beginning to the end of the world at all the Masses that ever have or ever will be prayed. We offer Thee all the pains, suffering, prayers, sacrifices, joys and relaxations of our lives, in union with those of our dear Lord Jesus here on earth. May the Most Precious Blood of Christ, all His blood and wounds and agony save us, through the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen!
Dear St. Philomena pray for us that purity of mind and heart which lead to the Perfect Love of God!
An Act Of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins because of them I deserve the eternal pains of hell, but most of all because I have offended Thee my God who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, to avoid the proximate occasion of sin and never to sin anymore. Amen.
Ave Maris Stella
Hail, bright star of the ocean,/ God’s own Mother blest,/ Ever sinless Virgin,/ Gate of heavenly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave/ Which from Gabriel came,/ Peace confirm within us,/ Changing Eva’s name.

Break the captives’ fetters,/ Light on blindness pour,/ All our ills expelling,/ Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;/ May the Word Divine,/ Born for us thine Infant,/ Hear our Prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,/ Mildest of the mild,/ Freed from guilt preserve us,/ Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,/ Make our way secure,/ Till we find in Jesus,/ Joy forevermore.

Through the highest heaven/ To the Almighty Three,/ Father, Son and Spirit,/ One same glory be. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Say after each line: Have mercy on us.
V. God the Father of Heaven
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, Son of the living God, R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father,
Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
Jesus, King of glory.
Jesus, sun of justice.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
Jesus, most amiable.
Jesus, most admirable.
Jesus, the mighty God.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
Jesus, most powerful.
Jesus, most patient.
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
Jesus, lover of us.
Jesus, God of peace.
Jesus, author of life.
Jesus, example of virtues.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
Jesus, our God.
Jesus, our refuge.
Jesus, father of the poor.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
Jesus, true light.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.
Jesus, infinite goodness.
Jesus, our way and our life.
Jesus, joy of Angels.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles.
Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.
Jesus, strength of Martyrs.
Jesus, light of Confessors.
Jesus, purity of Virgins.
Jesus, crown of Saints.
V. Be merciful, R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful, R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Say after each line: deliver us, O Jesus.
V. From all evil, R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Your wrath,
From the snares of the devil.
From the spirit of fornication.
From everlasting death.
From the neglect of Your inspirations.
By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.
By Your Nativity.
By Your Infancy.
By Your most divine Life.
By Your labors.
By Your agony and passion.
By Your cross and dereliction.
By Your sufferings.
By Your death and burial.
By Your Resurrection.
By Your Ascension.
By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.
By Your joys.
By Your glory.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.
V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You. Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love. R. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Litany of the Precious Blood
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word or God, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany of the Holy Name of Mary (private devotion only)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, Have mercy on us.
Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother, Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse, Have mercy on us.
Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid, Have mercy on us.
Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us.
Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal, pray for us.
Mary, our light, pray for us.
Mary, our sister, pray for us.
Mary, flower of Jesse, pray for us.
Mary, issue of kings, pray for us.
Mary, chief work of God, pray for us.
Mary, the beloved of God, pray for us.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us.
Mary, all fair, pray for us.
Mary, light in darkness, pray for us.
Mary, our sure rest, pray for us.
Mary, house of God, pray for us.
Mary, sanctuary of the Lord, pray for us.
Mary, altar of the Divinity, pray for us.
Mary, Virgin Mother, pray for us.
Mary, embracing thy Infant God, pray for us.
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom, pray for us.
Mary, ocean of bitterness, pray for us.
Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
Mary, suffering with thine only Son, pray for us.
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow, pray for us.
Mary, torn with a cruel wound, pray for us.
Mary, sorrowful even to death, pray for us.
Mary, bereft of all consolation, pray for us.
Mary, submissive to the law of God, pray for us.
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady, pray for us.
Mary, Our Queen, pray for us.
Mary, Queen of glory, pray for us.
Mary, glory of the Church Triumphant, pray for us.
Mary, Blessed Queen, pray for us.
Mary, advocate of the Church Militant, pray for us.
Mary, Queen of Mercy, pray for us.
Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering, pray for us.
Mary, exalted above the angels, pray for us.
Mary, crowned with twelve stars, pray for us.
Mary, fair as the moon, pray for us.
Mary, bright as the sun, pray for us.
Mary, distinguished above all, pray for us.
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus, pray for us.
Mary, our hope, pray for us.
Mary, our sweetness, pray for us.
Mary, glory of Jerusalem, pray for us.
Mary, joy of Israel, pray for us.
Mary, honor of our people, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
Son of Mary, hear us. Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
I will declare thy name unto my brethren. I will praise thee in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Us Pray O Almighty God, Who beholdest Thy servants earnestly desirous of placing themselves under the shadow of the name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Philomena
Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to set thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God. Ah! from the heights of heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client. Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular [mention your special intentions]. Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Amen.
St. John Vianney Prayer
Almighty and Merciful God, in St. John Vianney You have given us a priest who was outstanding in pastoral zeal. Through his intercession help us to win others for Christ and together with them attain eternal glory. Amen.
Prayer to St. Margaret of Antioch
Margaret, holy virgin and martyr, thou didst faithfully preserve the robe of holy innocence and purity, valiantly resisting all the blandishments and allurements of the world for the love of thy divine Spouse, Jesus Christ; help me to overcome all temptations against the choicest of all virtues, holy purity, and to remain steadfast in the love of Christ, in order to preserve this great gift of God. Implore for me the grace of perseverance in prayer, distrust of myself, and flight from the occasions of sin, and finally the grace of a good death, so that in heaven I may “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” Amen.
Prayer to Blessed Bronislava of Poland
Almighty, eternal God, you call what is weak in this world, in order to shame what is strong. Help us, through the intercession of Blessed Bronislava, in spite of our weakness, to work toward the building up of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Blessed Bronislava, pray for us. Saint Norbert, pray for us.
Prayer to St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese, beloved friend, you promised to spend your heaven doing good upon earth. We come before you in our need. We believe that you listen to us and approach God for and with us. You are love in the heart of the Church. You are love in the heart of God. Please accept these petitions, hopes, needs, and dreams I list below. Please present them to our Loving Father so that God may do what is best for us, for our loved ones, and for the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. Continue your shower of roses in our lives. We ask you, dear friend, with bold confidence and loving surrender you taught us. We make this prayerful request in the name of Jesus and through the power of His Spirit. (mention your request). Amen.
Prayer to St. Benedict
O glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of all virtues, pure vessel of God’s grace! Behold me, humbly kneeling at thy feet. I implore thy loving heart to pray for me before the throne of God. To thee I have recourse in all the dangers which daily surround me. Shield me against my enemies, inspire me to imitate thee in all things. May thy blessing be with me always, so that I may shun whatever God forbids and avoid the occasions of sin. Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces of which I stand so much in need, in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life. Thy heart was always so full of love, compassion, and mercy towards those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. Thou didst never dismiss without consolation and assistance any one who had re-course to thee. I therefore invoke thy powerful intercession, in the confident hope that thou wilt hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I so earnestly implore (mention it), if it be for the greater glory of God and the welfare of my soul. Help me, O great St. Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to be ever submissive to His holy will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven. Amen.
Angele Dei
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Prayer to St. Martha
Saint Martha, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better. Help us to overcome our distractions and worries to listen to his words and be present to him this day. Amen
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Prayer to St. Padre Pio
Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son. Endowed with the gift of discernment, St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional for the salvation of souls. With reverence and intense devotion in the celebration of Mass, he invited countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, I confidently beseech You to grant me the grace of (here state your petition). Amen. Glory Be, 3 times.
Prayer to St. Mary Magdalene
Saint Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love. You, who already possess eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that some day I may share in the same everlasting joy. Amen.
Prayer to St. Raphael
Most glorious Prince, Archangel Raphael, be mindful of us and pray for us, here and in every place, to the Son of God.
O God, who gave your servant Tobias the holy archangel Raphael for a companion on his journey, grant that during our earthly pilgrimage we may always be protected by his watchful care and strengthened by his help. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Invocation of St. Philomena
St. Philomena, pray for us! St. Philomena always defend us!
St. George Prayer
Almighty God, who gave to your servant George boldness to Confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Liturgy of the Hours http://divineoffice.org/

THINGS TO READ

The Bible, especially the passages listed above.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), especially numbers: 162, 272-274, 391-395, 397-421, 446-451, 516-518, 538-540, 547-550, 561-570, 631-637, 671-677, 977-980, 1086-1087, 1234-1245, 1263-1264, 1425-1426, 1506-1510, 1671-1673, 1701-1709, 2012-2016, 2112-2122, 2514-2516, 2520-2527, 2570-2573, 2581-2584, 2607-2615, 2725-2751, 2816-2821, 2846-2854.
The Pieta Prayer Book
The Cure d’Ars: St Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney by Abbe Francois Trochu, Ernest Graf (Translator)
Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s St. Therese A Treasured Love Story chapters 6, 8, & 11
“The Sacramentals” (Lesson 36 from the Baltimore Catechism) http://www.catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/lesson36.html
“7 Things You Must Know about St. Benedict’s Medal” by H. H. Ambrose http://www.stpeterslist.com/8560/8-things-you-must-know-about-st-benedicts-medal/
Story of A Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux
True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort
The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort
Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Christ Through Mary According to St. Louis De Montfort by Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
Wonder Worker Saint Philomena, Virgin Martyr by Cecily Hallack
The Wonders of the Holy Name by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O. P. (E. D. M.)

Little Graces

Earlier today, I’d been experiencing some stress over a project I was working on for somebody. My Beloved Friend Jesus, however, is always there with little graces to cheer me up on such days. Tonight at Mass, the celebrant was wearing a simple yet beautiful Our Lady of Guadalupe chasuble. As I knelt to receive Holy Communion, one of the many mini-images of Our Lady on his chasuble caught my eye and I was made aware of her Motherly presence at my Communion. Thank You, Dearest Jesus! Thank you Holy Mary!

“Here is your mother.” — John 19:27 NRSVCE

Mother of Sorrows, Mother of Joy!

Beautiful quote!

“The tragic hour the aged Simeon had foreseen in his terrible prophecy came to pass. The Cross stands out against a cloud-filled sky. A dreadful silence resounds through that city liable for the murder of its God. Jesus is expiring. At the foot of the gibbet whereon the great Victim is nailed stands Mary, motionless, silent, engulfed in untold grief, gazing upon her dying God. What created mind could fully understand her suffering? We are familiar with trials: loss of material goods is not fatal and bodily ills make our flesh tremble, yet our minds can remain at peace. Doubts, discouragement and despondency cast shadows on our lives and may make it unbearable, but the greatest suffering springs from the heart when love is wounded.

“Mary suffered through the love she bore her Son. Hers was a martyrdom which surpasses that of the martyrdom of blood. To comprehend the intensity of her pain, we would have to comprehend the depth of her love. She gave herself unreservedly to her Son, for original sin had not tarnished her Immaculate Heart. Now, her beloved Son, endures before her very eyes the most cruel, the most unjust, the most ignominious of tortures. Step by step, She follows the somber procession wending its way up Calvary. She witnesses the horrible scene of crucifixion, hears the heavy hammer drive the sharp nails into the adorable hands and feet of her Child, tearing His Flesh as His Precious Blood spills onto the ground. The soldiers jeer and the high priests mock His goodness, His holiness and His very divinity. Not for a moment does She abandon Him, nor does She miss a single moment of His suffering. When Jesus dies, She is at His Feet. There is a phenomenon the medieval philosophers called ecstasy. Love takes the heart, so to speak, of the one who loves and exchanges it with the heart of the beloved. All of Jesus’ sufferings resonated in Mary’s Heart. When the soldier’s lance pierced His Heart, it simultaneously pierced the Virgin Mother’s Soul.

“When a heavy cross is laid upon our shoulders, we accuse God of unfairness and uncaring cruelty, and we abandon our faith. “How could a good God do this to us!” Did the Father not love His only Son? Did God not love the purest Virgin whom He had made the Mother of His Son? Yet, God found no more precious gift for His Son and His Mother than suffering! Through suffering, the great work of Redemption is accomplished. God sends suffering to purify us and to save us. When suffering comes, we must trust God, lovingly receive the cross and know that the victory of Easter awaits us. With Mary, let us take courage. We will climb the steep hill of Calvary so that, one day, we may savor the joys of eternal Beatitude.

“The highest veneration, after God, is due to Mary because there is no other being in Heaven or on earth arrayed in so sublime a dignity and so near to God as is Mary, the Mother of the Most High, the Spouse of the Holy Ghost. When Mary was on earth, She was exalted to the pre-eminent dignity of having the Son of God subject to her and, now in her full glorification, shall She behold her dignity lowered and the love of her Divine Spouse and Son, lessened? NO! On the contrary, She shall receive, as a reward for the love She bore her Divine Son on earth, the greatest participation in His Eternal Glory. She shall sit as His beloved Mother on the right Hand side of her Son, upon the throne of glory and majesty so that the whole heavenly court may offer to their Queen the eternal homage due her as the promised Victress over Hell by reason of the Fruit of her virginal body.”

Taken from the SERVITE MANUAL
Nihil Obstat: Rt. Rev. A. Hillebrand, V.G. Prot. Apost., a.i.p.
Censor Librorum, Portland, Oregon – February 2, 1925

Holy Mass….

….is the Passion made present before our eyes!

Thank You, dearest Lord Jesus, for Your infinite, sacrificial love!

FROZEN–Story of My Life

Anna            Elsa

FROZEN–Story of My Life
HOW JESUS HEALED ME OF MY SCRUPULOSITY

When Queen Elsa was a girl, she accidentally struck the brain of her sister Anna with her power to freeze. Her parents took Anna to be healed by the rock troll chief. The chief told Elsa to control her powers, and to beware of fear, which would bring disaster from her powers. She and her parents heeded the first part of the warning, but failed to grasp the second part. Meaning well, Elsa’s parents told her to never leave her room and stay away from her sister, as well as the kingdom. They also told her to wear gloves in order to “conceal and not feel” her powers. Elsa quickly developed a spirit of fear.
My thoughts and imagination are a gift from God, to be used for His glory. A speaker in RCIA taught our class to keep our thoughts pure, but to beware of scrupulosity, which would wreck our lives, and others’. However, in my efforts to heed the first part of the warning, I failed to heed the second.
Elsa’s bedroom became a frozen, icy, cell, due to her growing fear. When she came out for her coronation day, Anna’s incessant pleading with her to return to a normal life, and ripping off one of her gloves in the process, sent Elsa into a nervous breakdown, in which she accidentally cast an eternal winter upon the kingdom and ran away. Later, when Anna came to her, again incessantly pleading, Elsa went into another nervous breakdown and accidentally struck Anna’s heart with her powers. Consulting the rock troll chief once more, Anna was told that the freezing of her heart was fatal, and she could only be saved through an “act of true love”.
My once-happy mind became a constant battlefield, and my scruples brought great suffering to others and to myself. Communion and Confession was received always with doubt and fear in the back of my mind trying to rob me of my joy and make me run away from Our Eucharistic Lord. This broke Jesus’ Heart also and made Him weep.
Anna later sacrifices her life to save Elsa instead of herself and this act of true love brings her back to life and teaches Elsa that “love thaws”, and through love, Elsa brings happiness to her kingdom, her sister, and herself.
Our Risen Lord’s self-sacrificing Love of Calvary, re-presented in the Most Holy Eucharist I beheld in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, gave me the wisdom I needed to trade my fear for love and be at peace with myself and others once more. For if one remains deeply in love with Jesus, Jesus Himself will keep her from grave sin, and use her mind to bring joy to Himself and to the world.
DEO GRATIAS!!!

Anna                     Elsa

“Behold, this (the Sacred Heart of Jesus) will supply for all that is wanting in thee.” — Jesus

“One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to preserve souls from falling, and to help those who fall from weakness to rise again. Therefore, it is much more profitable to approach the divine Sacrament frequently, with love, respect, and confidence, than to keep back from an excess of fear.”
— St. Ignatius Loyola (patron against scrupulosity)

“When I am at all worried, I go to my confessor, who shows me what is God’s Will; for Jesus Christ Himself assures us that he [the confessor] speaks with the voice of God.”
— St. Dominic Savio

“The new way of St. Therese is not to start thinking about how wicked you are, how sinful, but to begin looking at our Lord…..That’s the trouble. Our spiritual books tell us how to acquire humility. I told you about the 12 ways of St. Bernard. Well now, you’ll go crazy trying to develop those twelve ways. One of them is to love to be stomped on and trampled on. The Little Flower says, no, start loving the Lord, and then you’ll no longer be proud. You cannot start acquiring, for example, the virtue of humility of fortitude. You can never fall in love with an abstraction. You can only love a person. No one in the world ever fell in love with a theorem of geometry.”
— Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen

“And one of the novices–for she (St. Therese) was the Mistress of Novices–came to her one day, and said, ‘Oh, I have so many virtues to acquire.’ The Little Flower said, ‘No, you’ve got a lot of things to lose!'”
— Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen

“The demon, traitor that he is, knows well that he cannot make a soul who wills to belong wholly to the good God to commit (grave) sin. Therefore, he endeavors to persuade her that she (gravely) sins. That is a great deal gained. But it is not yet enough to satisfy his rage. He aims at something further. He wants to deprive Jesus of a beloved tabernacle (the person’s heart). Not being able himself to enter into the sanctuary (the person’s heart), he wishes that it may at least remain empty and without its Lord. What will become of such a heart? When the devil has succeeded in driving away a soul from Holy Communion, he has gained his ends, and Jesus weeps.” — St. Therese

“When you have loved [him] (Jesus) you shall be chaste”– St. Clare of Assisi’s First Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague: FF, 2862

Jesus Beads

This is a new favorite devotion of mine!

“The prayer rope, (Chotki/ Komboskini), consists of 25, 33, 50, 100 or 103 beads or knots and is used to focus one’s thoughts on the “Jesus Prayer” or “Prayer of the Heart”. When not in use the chotki can be wrapped around the left wrist like a bracelet but never as a decoration, as a reminder to pray without ceasing.

“In addition to private recitation, the Jesus Prayer may be said standing, with bows, or prostrations. The main focus is to pray without ceasing. When using the Chotki, it is customary to begin with making the sign of the cross….

“The Jesus Prayer is said on each bead.
“For special intentions, you substitute the name of another who is ill or in need of special prayers.

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on … (the intention)
“It is appropriate to add a prayer to the Mother of God while praying. (i.e., Through the Prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us; Mother of God, intercede for us.)….

“The tassel at the end is to dry one’s tears.”

http://www.prayerfulrosary.com/Jesusprayer.html