Return to our ROOTS

I am SO very happy to have read this morning that next year the Mass will basically return to the pre-Vatican II form! I wasn't sure I'd live to see this. I was so happy, I cried tears of joy! I remember when it changed in the 60's ... my dear Father said, as did many others, that it took away the mystery of the Mass. Not only did it go from Latin to English, but many of the words were changed as well. Many Parishes have now returned to the Latin Vulgate versions, but now even the words are back. For example .. a point of contention was in the Consecration. The way it always was, which it has now returned to, states: "TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT; WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME." This as we know was changed to: "TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT. IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME."
Certainly ALL people are offered salvation, but NOT ALL will accept.
This IS a wonderful day indeed and I for one, just can't wait to actually see and hear these wonderful changes that have been long overdue.
I noticed too that mention of SIN and MERCY are more pronounced which is very good too ... we were well on the way to forgetting about those things. Hopefully now, Confession will make a comeback as well :)
My other joy would be to bring the Tabernacle back to the main focus of the Altar as It should be and to have the priest face the altar again instead of the people ... but for now, I'm happy with this ... Praise God!
:)

Forgiveness

It has been heavy on my heart for some time now we need to focus more on giving and receiving FORGIVENESS. In fact, it woke me up with an urgency to pray for someone that had some past hurts that were hard to ignore or forgive. We all need to encourage each other to FORGIVE. They say "Forgive and forget" ... well I can forgive, but I have a hard time forgetting! :) HOWEVER, I think the important part here is our reactions and motivations. For example... say someone hurts me deeply ... perhaps it takes a while to talk comfortably with them again after forgiveness is given and received. But say, during that time, a situation arises where they need help or advice or something along those lines. We need to give that help or advice or whatever our brother/sister/whoever needs if we have truly forgiven. This holds true even if we haven't yet forgiven and often will help us forgive more quickly. NEVER let another child of God -OUR FAMILY MEMBER, being in the Body of Christ, go without. Even those that don't believe are still children of God! :)
I often have joked that even if I'm angry at someone and they needed my help for something, I'd help them and then perhaps still not talk to them a while lol ... BUT, they would not be denied the assistance they required at the time due to any resentments from past hurts ... all that needs to be put aside when we're needed.

How many times should we forgive??? Seventy times seven ... or in other words ... ALWAYS :)
PRAY! TRUST! FORGIVE!

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

Feastday: October 30, 1617

Confessor and Jay brother, also called Alonso. He was born in Segovia, Spain, on July 25, 1532, the son of a wealthy merchant, and was prepared for First Communion by Blessed Peter Favre, a friend of Alphonsus' father. While studying with the Jesuits at Alcala, Alphonsus had to return home when his father died. In Segovia he took over the family business, was married, and had a son. That son died, as did two other children and then his wife. Alphonsus sold his business and applied to the Jesuits. His lack of education and his poor health, undermined by his austerities, made him less than desirable as a candidate for the religious life, but he was accepted as a lay brother by the Jesuits on January 31, 1571. He underwent novitiate training and was sent to Montesion College on the island of Majorca. There he labored as a hall porter for twenty-four years. Overlooked by some of the Jesuits in the house, Alphonsus exerted a wondrous influence on many. Not only the young students, such as St. Peter Claver, but local civic tad and social leaders came to his porter's lodge for advice tad and direction. Obedience and penance were the hallmarks of his life, as well as his devotion to the Immaculate Conception. He experienced many spiritual consolations, and he wrote religious treatises, very simple in style but sound in doctrine. Alphonsus died after a long illness on October 31, 1617, and his funeral was attended by Church and government leaders. He was declared Venerable in 1626, and was named a patron of Majorca in 1633. Alphonsus was beatified in 1825 and canonized in September 1888 with St. Peter Claver.

St. Ignatius of Antioch

St. Ignatius of Antioch Feastday: October 17

"I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire."

In 107, during the reign of the brutal Emperor Trajan, this holy Bishop was wrongfully sentenced to death because he refused to renounce the Christian faith. He was taken under guard to Rome where he was to be brutally devoured by wild beasts in a public spectacle.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - The second Bishop of Antioch, Syria, this disciple of the beloved Disciple John was consecrated Bishop around the year 69 by the Apostle Peter, the first Pope. A holy man who was deeply loved by the Christian faithful, he always made it his special care to defend “orthodoxy” (right teaching) and “orthopraxy” (right practice) among the early Christians.

In 107, during the reign of the brutal Emperor Trajan, this holy Bishop was wrongfully sentenced to death because he refused to renounce the Christian faith. He was taken under guard to Rome where he was to be brutally devoured by wild beasts in a public spectacle. During his journey, his travels took him through Asia Minor and Greece. He made good use of the time by writing seven letters of encouragement, instruction and inspiration to the Christians in those communities. We still have these letters as a great treasure of the Church today.
A letter to the Romans by St Ignatius of Antioch

“I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals. I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God. No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.

The time for my birth is close at hand. Forgive me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. My desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. Do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. Give me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. If you have him in your heart, you will understand what I wish. You will sympathize with me because you will know what urges me on.

The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God’s side. Do not talk about Jesus Christ as long as you love this world. Do not harbor envious thoughts. And supposing I should see you, if then I should beg you to intervene on my behalf, do not believe what I say. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you – still - my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: “Come to the Father.” I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world. I want only God’s bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed of the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.

I am no longer willing to live a merely human life, and you can bring about my wish if you will. Please, then, do me this favour, so that you in turn may meet with equal kindness. Put briefly, this is my request: believe what I am saying to you. Jesus Christ himself will make it clear to you that I am saying the truth. Only truth can come from that mouth by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God. If I am condemned to suffer, I will take it that you wish me well. If my case is postponed, I can only think that you wish me harm.”

Taking Questions :)

If anyone has any questions about rosary making, I'd be glad to answer if I can :)

please save the USA

During my prayer time today .. I felt prompted to write this down ... and I share it with you all because I feel it's important to pray for our country. I seem to be leaning towards a new chaplet and wondering if anyone has any info on this?? Is it permissible for a lay person to 'write' a new chaplet? I believe all prayer is inspired by the Holy Spirit so can't say 'author' a new chaplet. There is a lil more to how this came about, but would like opinions anyway please. Meanwhile, I don't believe it will hurt in any way to add this to our daily prayers, if you feel so led:

"Sweetest Jesus, for the sake of those that love You, by merit of Your Holy Passion, please save the USA."

Sale tomorrow in Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary

Tomorrow only (October 7th, 2009) .. 20% off sale on all items! You MUST *NOT* use the buttons on the site to take advantage of this discount. You MUST email the item number and description so I can send you a paypal invoice reflecting the 20% discount. If you click the site buttons, I can do nothing to reverse it as fees will have already been paid and no adjustments can be made. So please, be sure to follow the instructions on the site! :)
Everything will be discounted: Rosaries, Chaplets, Rosary bracelets, necklaces, earrings, sets, bookmarks, beverage markers, key chains .... I will even discount CUSTOM ORDERS tomorrow till midnight EST!