Feast of the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ December 18

Come, Let us Adore the Lord, with ... Our Lady of Expectation ......

“As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19).

From the very beginning of Christianity, the believers in Christ cherished a special love for Mary, His Mother. Instinctively they sensed that she must be the purest of virgins and the most honored of all women, to whom they could confide all their trials. Reading the Holy Gospels and then following the teaching of the early Fathers of Church, they learned more of her unique role in the life of Jesus and of her power of intercession. Beneath the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, we see the inscriptions and graffiti that depict Mary as the one who intercedes for the departed Christians to her Son, the Judge. In the Roman Catacombs, we find the wall drawings that represent Mary as the throne of wisdom “Sedes Sapientiae” holding the baby Jesus, the Incarnated Wisdom on her knees whom she presents to the poor shepherds of Bethlehem and to the Wise Men from the Orient.

As the Christian message began to reach different parts of the world, across the Mediterranean Sea, the knowledge of Mary increased considerably in the minds of the believers and the love for her grew ever deeper in their hearts. To express their sentiments of veneration, a litany of invocations was collected and new titles multiplied in number and affection. The popular devotion began to spring up in various regions and countries that enriched greatly the Marian piety. Many lovely hymns and prayers, mostly in Latin, were composed, just to mention the Angelic salutation “Ave Maria...” (Hail Mary), “Salve Regina” (Hail, Holy Queen) and the most ancient of them “Sub Tuum Praesidlum” (Under your protection) and they are still much loved to this day. Hundreds of new titles were given to Our Blessed Lady by her devotees and many of them were approved by the Church and included in the sacred liturgy. Some of them are celebrated in a particular region, country or continent.

As we celebrate Christmas again, the mystery of the Incarnation, we are to
contemplate the greatest gift of God for His people, the gift of His Son, born of the Virgin Mary, promised from the dawn of time, the woman’s “offspring, Who shall crush the serpent’s head” (Gn 3:15) one day; proclaimed by the prophets: “The Virgin is with the child and shall bear a Son, and she will call Him Emmanuel” (Is 7:14) and fulfilled in time “The Word of God became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth” (J 1:14) and this “while they were there the time came for her to have a child, and she gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.” (Lk 2:67).

One of the most inspiring days preceding Christmas is the feast of “Our Lady of Expectation,” unknown to many today, but still kept alive in many countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland as well as in a few religious orders. In older editions of missals, this feast is still listed as a votive Mass. The feast is celebrated on the 18th of December, a week before Christmas Day. Our Blessed Lady, well advanced in pregnancy, is portrayed in the highest dignity of her Divine Motherhood. Dressed in royal apparel as daughter of David the King, she awaits with joy the arrival of her divine Son, the Prince of Peace. Her whole posture suggests how she remains wholly consumed in contemplation of her Son under her heart. Her immaculate womb has become a living portable sanctuary of divinity. There are special prayers and novenas to “Our Lady of Expectation” available for women who cannot conceive or bear a child. 

The votive Mass of “Our Lady of Expectation” is theologically enlightening and spiritually enriching for the time of Advent and Christmas. With the entrance antiphon, the Church prays with the prophet for the coming of the Just One from heaven that the earth may be ready to welcome the Savior: “Send victory like a dew, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the just. Let the earth open for salvation to spring up” (Is 45:8). In the opening prayer, the Church offers the prayer to God through Mary’s intercession: “O God who wished that your Word would take the flesh from the womb of the Virgin as announced by the Angel and whom we confess to be the true Mother of God, may we be helped by her intercession.”

In the Liturgy of the Word, in the first reading, we hear about the “sign” God will give to the chosen people of Israel and to all people about his plan for the Incarnation of his Son. This “sign” is the Holy Virgin Mary herself, who will give birth to the Son, who will be named the “Emmanuel” (God is with us). This “sign” will appear again at the end of time: “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and twelve stars on her head for a crown. She was pregnant, and in labor, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth” (Rv 12:12). Through the miracle of the Incarnation, God’s only begotten Son became a son of our humanity as St. John noted: “Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our hands: the Word who is life—this is our subject. That life was made visible: we saw it and we are giving our testimony, telling you of the eternal life which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.” (1 J 13).

In the responsorial psalm, King David makes the way for the solemn entry of God, the Great King, into the sanctuary of the Temple: “Gates, raise your arches, rise, you ancient doors, let the king of glory in! Who is this king of glory? He is Yahweh Sabbaoth, King of glory” (Ps 24:910). Now, this new sanctuary the heavenly King of glory will enter into is the purest womb of the Virgin Mary, a bridal chamber of adoration.

The Gospel message on this feast relates the story of the Annunciation.
God asks a woman, his creature for a favor to be Mother of his Son, and at the same time, he respects her freedom. She is free to say “yes” or “no.” There is a moment of waiting in heaven and on earth: God waits for her answer, the heavenly messenger waits for her answer, the first parents Adam and Eve wait for her answer, all confined in hell wait for her answer. With grateful heart, we thank Mary, the Wise and Prudent Virgin, for saying “yes” to God on our behalf. Her simple words: “Let what you have said be done to me” (Lk 1:38) brought down to us the Savior and has changed the world forever. She obeyed the Angel not the Devil and thus she pleased God: “Blessed are you because of your belief that the promise made to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:45).

At the offertory, the Church blesses “Our Lad of Expectation” with the Angel’s greeting “Rejoice, so highly favored. The Lord is with you” (Lk 1:29); “Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). Mary is doubly blessed: in her virginity and motherhood and thus stands as an ideal and inspiration for every woman single or married. Her virginal womb is blessed with the Divine Life. She is the Mother of every child ever conceived under the mother’s heart. What an example she offers to all expectant mothers to welcome, to nurture life and to bring it to the full maturity of Christ’s humanity. At the same time, we must pray for the end of abortion, the greatest evil in our days and to promote the civilization of love and family life. The Holy Virgin Mary, “Our Lady of Expectation”, is a great educator of the Christian family. Christmas is a family celebration. We all want to be home for Christmas. She teaches us how to love and enjoy our own humanity and the humanity of her Son, we celebrate on Christmas Day. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
by Fr. Marian Zalecki, OSPPE
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Prayer to Our Lady of Expectation

The Feast of the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on December 18th. A shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Expectation resides on St. Thomas Mount (the place where St. Thomas the Apostle was martyred) in Chennai, India.

Heavenly Mother, dwelling on the blood-drenched Mount of St. Thomas! Mother expecting; and Mother bearing Christ in your holy womb! Shower thy blessings on us who venerate thee. Protect us from the treacherous Satan. Shelter us in the tabernacle of thy womb.
O Holy womb that bore our Lord Jesus Christ! Mold us as expected by your beloved Son. Let our families inculcate good virtues. Let thy peace fill our families. Let faithfulness be strengthened among couples. Let the voice of vocation be heard and answered. Let wisdom, understanding and knowledge be implanted in our children.
Bless us with employment and industrial development. Bless us with good rain, agricultural growth and decent shelter. Bless us with the gift of children. Bless pregnant mothers with safe delivery. Bless our journeys with safety and bless us with a burden-less life.
Bless all those who have lost their spouse. Bless the orphans and the destitute, physically challenged and the socially afflicted; the poor and helpless.
Let the priests and the religious lead a holy life. Let there be peace in the world. Let love for mankind, solidarity among religions and justice be established. Make us depend on Jesus Christ in our day to day life as you expect and may we say ‘Yes’ to God’s Holy Will. Lord! Like the holy seeping blood which gushed out from the cross carved by St. Thomas, Bless and make this Holy Mount the Faith Home of the World. Amen.

Father Bozada: Make Your Heart A Living Stable For The Infant Christ

Gaudete Sunday reminds us that we are to “rejoice” because the Lord’s coming is at hand. In a very short while, we will behold Our Savior in the manger. Jesus comes to save us from our sins. As a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, Jesus reaches out to all of us. Who could reject a little infant, warm and inviting? This warm welcome from Our Savior is extended to all mankind. This Christmas, take time to come before the Christ Child. Even better yet, pray the novena to the Infant in the Manger as a preparation for Christmas. In this beautiful novena, ask Jesus to reign in your home and heart. What better way to begin the New Year, than to have the Child Jesus living in the stable of your heart. Like the Holy Shepherds, be pure and simple. Your Christmas can then be one to remember for years to come.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May we always welcome the Child Jesus into the manger of our heart and soul. Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Christ the King Sunday

Christ the King Sunday celebrates the all-embracing authority of Christ as King and Lord of the cosmos. Officially called the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, it is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent.
Christ the King Prayers

Scriptural References: Psalm 23; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Pope Pius XI instituted The Feast of Christ the King in 1925 for the universal church in his encyclical Quas Primas. He connected the increasingly denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism. At the time of Quas Primas, many Christians (including Catholics) began to doubt Christ's authority and existence, as well as the Church's power to continue Christ's authority. Pius XI, and the rest of the Christian world, witnessed the rise of non-Christian dictatorships in Europe, and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. These dictators often attempted to assert authority over the Church. Just as the Feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist was at a low point, the Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was needed most.
Pius hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:

1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).
3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).

Today, the same distrust of authority exists, although the problem has gotten worse. Individualism has been embraced to humility and service. Jesus said:

such an extreme, that for many, the only authority is the individual self. The idea of Christ as ruler is rejected in such a strongly individualistic system. Also, many balk at the idea of kings and queens, believing them to be antiquated and possibly oppressive. Some even reject the titles of "lord" and "king" for Christ because they believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. However true these statements might be (some kings have been oppressive), these individuals miss the point: Christ's kingship is one of

You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45, NAB).

and

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"... Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world,to testify to the truth (John 18:33b, 36-37).

Thus, Jesus knew the oppressive nature of secular kings, and in contrast to them, he connected his role as king to humble service, and commanded his followers to be servants as well. In other passages of Scripture, his kingdom is tied to his suffering and death. While Christ is coming to judge the nations, his teachings spell out a kingdom of justice and judgment balanced with radical love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness. When we celebrate Christ as King, we are not celebrating an oppressive ruler, but one willing to die for humanity and whose "loving-kindness endures forever." Christ is the king that gives us true freedom, freedom in Him. Thus we must never forget that Christ radically redefined and transformed the concept of kingship.Christ the King Sunday used to be celebrated on the last Sunday of October, but since the calendar reforms of 1969, the feast falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, which is the Sunday before Advent. It is fitting that the feast celebrating Christ's kingship is observed right before Advent, when we liturgically wait for the promised Messiah (King).

History

The earliest Christians identified Jesus with the predicted Messiah of the Jews. The Jewish word "messiah," and the Greek word "Christ," both mean "anointed one," and came to refer to the expected king who would deliver Israel from the hands of the Romans. Christians believe that Jesus is this expected Messiah. Unlike the messiah most Jews expected, Jesus came to free all people, Jew and Gentile, and he did not come to free them from the Romans, but from sin and death. Thus the king of the Jews, and of the cosmos, does not rule over a kingdom of this world.
Christians have long celebrated Jesus as Christ, and his reign as King is celebrated to some degree in Advent (when Christians wait for his second coming in glory), Christmas (when "born this day is the King of the Jews"), Holy Week (when Christ is the Crucified King), Easter (when Jesus is resurrected in power and glory), and the Ascension (when Jesus returns to the glory he had with the Father before the world was created). However, Pius XI wanted to specifically commemorate Christ as king, and instituted the feast in the Western calendar in 1925.
In the 21st century many Western Christians, Catholic and Protestant, celebrate Christ the King Sunday, including Anglicans and Lutherans. Unfortunately, in some mainline Protestant churches, "king" language is not popular, and the feast is downplayed. However, in a chaotic and unjust world that seems to scorn any kind of authority, many Christians proudly celebrate Christ the King Sunday, where the loving and merciful - and just - king of the universe is praised and glorified.

Taken from: http://www.churchyear.net/ctksunday.html

Novena of Surrender to the Will of God

Surrender Novena

Can be said any time; but say it with your whole heart, mind, strength & soul. 

It brings peace & strength beyond belief!

Day 1
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to Me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to Me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 2
Surrender to Me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to Me a worried prayer asking Me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see to their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves
so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in My care.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 3
How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need turns to Me, looks at Me and says to Me; “You take care of it,” then close its eyes and rests. In pain you pray for Me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to Me, instead, you want Me to adapt to your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the Doctor to cure you,
but rather sick people who tell the Doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the Our Father: “Hallowed be Thy Name”, that is, be glorified in My need. “Thy kingdom come”, that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with Your kingdom.
“Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”, that is, in our need, decide as You see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to Me truly: “Thy Will be done” which is the same as saying: “You take care of it” I will intervene with all My omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 4
You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry, Close your eyes and say to Me with faith: “Thy Will be done, You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say “You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than My loving intervention. By My Love, I promise this to you.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 5
And when I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in My Arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 6
You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse - to men themselves, trusting in their intervention, - this is what hinders My Words and My Views. Oh how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you and how I suffer when I see you so agitated! Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from My protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So, trust only in Me, rest in Me, surrender to Me in everything.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 7
I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to Me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in the deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever performed miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So don’t think about it any more, because your mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in Me and to not think of yourself.
Do this for all your needs, do this all of you and you will see great continual silent miracles.
I will take care of things, I promise this to you.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 8
Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of My grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in Me, believing in My goodness, and I promise you by My Love that if you say "You take care of it,” I will take care of it all; I will console you,
liberate you and guide you.
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Day 9
Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love.
Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, You take care of it.” Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless My Name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this!
Repeat 10 times...
O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!

Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.

(Author: Father Don Dolindo Ruotolo 📷✝ 1882-1970)

The Moral Decay of Society - Where Are We Really?

We look around our world today and are utterly flabbergasted. It's not just the crime, drugs, lack of respect, judgement and morals that make us shudder; but for those who have eyes and ears, we are seeing prophecy jump off the pages of the Bible and hit us right between the eyes.

We see all kinds of division everywhere. From the government, the workplace, our churches and synagogues, and yes even in our very own families! Confusion abounds in this world today where evil is called good and good is called evil. The folks adhering to the old values before this insanity grabbed hold are deemed uncharitable and labeled with all kinds of phobias. We are the 'bad guys'. And why? 

It's not good enough that most folks are content to let others do as they wish and go their merry way.

The "PROGRESSIVES" want - no, DEMAND, that we not only accept their sin, but EMBRACE their wicked deeds. To this end, they riot, loot, disrupt, attack and sometimes even kill to make their point, all while accusing the folks on the sidelines getting knocked around, of being HATEFUL. If they opened their eyes towards a mirror, perhaps they'd notice that the grimaces on their faces display their own hearts true motivation.

And of course decades later we are still killing our little ones ... only it's become more blatant,
more horrific. And if by chance the little ones that are not torn apart limb from limb happened to be born, well, we will either let them die in a cold dark place without any care or just start harvesting their organs while their heart still beats. Late-term abortions up until the moment of birth are still performed without a second thought. God have mercy on The Souls of the people who do this or have anything to do with this "industry of death".

Then of course we have what has come to be known as the immigration problem. Very strange to me how it's been turned around. But of course, that's one of the old boys best tricks throughout the centuries - confusion, lies, division - his standard modus operandi!

I have to wonder if any of the folks wanting to let in people who say they want to kill us, have ever studied the history of these people. It's readily available online but I'll just touch on a few things. Whenever the Muslims conquered an area, they erected a mosque to commemorate the victory. Any wonder why they want to build one on ground zero?

There are videos all over the place that they themselves have distributed around the internet that display their hatred, violence and evil. They make no bones about how much they hate Americans and actually anyone who's not Muslim; and these 'infidels' should be beheadded if they don't convert. 

Now it's true that not all Muslims are extremists. But it is true that all Muslims hold to the tenants of their faith which can be very severe for themselves should they question or attempt to leave Islam. Parents have slain their own children for looking at someone of the opposite sex, for dancing, for wondering about Christianity or any other thing (and there are many) that is perceived to disparage Islam or the  PROPHET. Nothing wrong with HONOR KILLING in the Muslim world.

They have infiltrated all countries systematically over the last several decades. Now, what I don't understand is if they are true refugees fleeing from a land that they feel is unfair and want the freedom that other countries can give them; why is it when they go to those other countries they do not try to assimilate, but try to force their laws on the hosting country? So how can these people be real refugees? It doesn't take rocket science to see that they're infiltrating in an attempt to control and rule rather than be grateful recipients of their newly found freedoms.

So here we are folks, prophecy unfolding before our very eyes. The minds that have not been twisted from the drug epidemic are being systematically manipulated by the media in an attempt to bring about a new world order/reign of the Antichrist.

At the very least, a docile population left after the plagues and pestilence from viruses and vaccinations will be much more easily controlled. Folks should Google the Georgia Guidestones for more information.

It's much more than sex, drugs and rock and roll today. The stakes are much higher. The time is much shorter. The evil is much stronger. Most folks are simply content to stay in their little worlds and ignore all the signs. No, we do not know the day or the hour, but the Lord Himself did tell us to watch, be vigilant and know the signs of the times!

I suggest that people put their pride aside, & make an effort to research the truth for themselves. The fullness of Truth. We all should be praying without ceasing. Every heartbeat every breath should be a prayer begging God to enlighten our souls, open our minds and hearts to the truth that IS Jesus! 

Eternity is an awfully long time to lament over something that could have been easily remedied in this Valley of Tears if we but had eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that's open to the direction of the Holy Spirit. There are many passages of scripture that can point you in the right direction but I leave you some here as food for thought:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. (2 Timothy 3:1-4)

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans 1:26-27)

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Day 9 – St. Jude Novena

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (State your intentions here)
You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.
Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.
St. Jude, pray for me that I will not lose faith.
O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena/#ixzz4w0Nk0XLq

Day 8 – St. Jude Novena

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (State your intentions here)
You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.
Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.
St. Jude, pray for me that I will not lose hope.
O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena/#ixzz4w0NI0ryx

Day 7 – St. Jude Novena

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus,  today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (State your intentions here)
You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.
Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.
St. Jude, pray that I may put my trust in God that He knows my needs even better than I do and that He provides.
O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena/#ixzz4w0MNhzy9

Day 6 – St. Jude Novena

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (State your intentions here)
You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.
Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.
St. Jude, pray that I may know God’s will in my life.
O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena/#ixzz4w0LhFi9U

Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory - Begins October 23rd

Prayer to Our Suffering Savior
for the Holy Souls in Purgatory 

O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them.   
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here)

Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.


Written by St. Alphonsus Liguori this novena has prayers for each day which are followed by the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Day 1   Day 2   Day 3   Day 4   Day 5   Day 6   Day 7   Day 8   Day 9

Day 1

Jesus, my Savior I have so often deserved to be cast into hell how great would be my suffering if I were now cast away and obliged to think that I myself had caused my damnation. I thank Thee for the patience with which Thou hast endured me. My God, I love Thee above all things and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee because Thou art infinite goodness. I will rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of perseverance. Have pity on me and at the same time on those blessed souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

Day 2

Woe to me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned naught but hell! I give Thee thanks, O Lord, for granting me time even now to atone for my sins. My good God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Send me Thy assistance, that I may apply the time yet remaining to me for Thy love and service; have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

Day 3

My God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I love Thee above all things, and repent with my whole heart of my offenses against Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. And thou, Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

Day 4

My God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I am sorry with my whole heart for having offended Thee. I promise to die rather than ever offend Thee more. Give me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those holy souls that burn in the cleansing fire and love Thee with all their hearts. O Mary, Mother of God, assist them by thy powerful prayers.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .


Day 5

Woe to me, unhappy being, if Thou, O Lord, hadst cast me into hell; for from that dungeon of eternal pain there is no deliverance. I love Thee above all things, O infinite God and I am sincerely sorry for having offended Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

Day 6

My Divine Redeemer, Thou didst die for me on the Cross, and hast so often united Thyself with me in Holy Communion, and I have repaid Thee only with ingratitude. Now, however, I love Thee above all things, O supreme God; and I am more grieved at my offences against Thee than at any other evil. I will rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

Day 7

God, Father of Mercy, satisfy this their ardent desire! Send them Thy holy Angel to announce to them that Thou, their Father, are now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus, and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

Day 8

Oh my God! I also am one of these ungrateful beings, having received so much grace, and yet despised Thy love and deserved to be cast by Thee into hell. But Thy infinite goodness has spared me until now. Therefore, I now love Thee above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I will rather die than ever offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 9My God! How was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how long-suffering hast Thou shown Thyself to me! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee; I promise rather to die than to again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the holy souls in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate their sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. Mary, Mother of Mercy, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession, and pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .

I ask all to join me in EMPTYING purgatory DAILY: By virtue of the promise to St. Faustina by Jesus; a fervent soul that asks anything of the Father in Jesus'  Name, during the Holy Hour of Divine Mercy - 3PM - will be heard and answered, as long as it's not against the Divine Will.... "Eternal Father, please take all the pain and suffering of the holy souls in purgatory, along with my own and unite them all to the Perfect, Holy Passion of Jesus, His True Presence in the Eucharist and the benefits and graces of all Masses said this day and please empty purgatory into heaven daily during this special hour of Divine Mercy; (especially those that have no one to pray for them) in the precious Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Day 5 – St. Jude Novena

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions!
(State your intentions here)
You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.
Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.
St. Jude, you sacrificed for the Kingdom of God, pray that I may sacrifice like you.
O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena/#ixzz4w0KtFJym

Day 1 – St. Jude Novena

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions!
(State your intentions here)
You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.
Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.
St. Jude, you loved our Lord, help me to love Him more.
O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena/#ixzz4w0HemyJm

Anybody Home?

I had written this some time ago ... not even sure when ... but just came across it again and it's TIMELY. If you don't care about this .... YOU SHOULD!

Oh for about a couple decades now at least, I've had a pet peeve .. spoken to only a handful of trusted friends .. something that really rubs me the wrong way and gets my dander up. There's a FIX for it .. but are we UP TO IT? To we have the GUTS to even SUGGEST IT? Time for fence sitting is LONG PAST. We need to begin getting our house in order and in my mind, the very first thing we need to do is:

PUT THE MASTER BACK WHERE HE BELONGS!!

Yep ... I'm talking about the Savior of the world, our Eucharistic Lord, JESUS! It was WRONG to move Him off to the side away from the main focus. Isn't that WHY we go to Church because we BELIEVE IN THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF THE EUCHARIST? Sit down and REALLY think about this. If you don't believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, you're not even CATHOLIC. He didn't say this is a representation of My Body and Blood ...

He said "THIS IS MY BODY, THIS IS MY BLOOD."

This has bothered me for SO long now ... Michael brought it to the fore front again and now I'm on a mission! We need .. WE ALL NEED to band together. Things are going to get tough enough here more quickly than we'd like. We need to be sure where we stand because those still sitting on the fence will soon find themselves sitting on what's left of their brains *ahem*. We need to follow Michael's advice and IN CHARITY do whatever it takes to get Jesus put BACK front and center as the MAIN FOCUS as it should be .. where He BELONGS!

Form groups, write letters, have talks and meetings ... if nothing is done and it's a closed issue, well then, I'd take my soul elsewhere to be nourished for the upcoming battle. It's too important NOT to have Him first in all things now and (right after the place in your heart), that begins with the altar in your parish.

If you can't get anywhere with your parish, contact the diocese or the arch diocese .. if you can't get anywhere with them .. well then you need to go where Jesus IS honored, respected and given the proper place due His DIVINITY! .... PERIOD!

Father Robert Altier: On The Reality And Action Of Demons!

Would You Like To Learn More About The Differences Between The Different Kinds And The Different Actions Of The Devil’s Minions? Then Read The Following!
We need to speak about reality of the evil spirits. I thought it might be appropriate to explain that with a little bit more detail so that we would understand exactly what it is we are working against.

Cardinal Spirits

There are spirits that are broken up into different kinds of categories. There are, for instance, the spirits that are called “cardinal spirits”. Cardinal spirits are the ones that we get in because of repeated sin. If we do the same thing over and over and over again, we open ourselves up to allow the devil in. We do not become possessed by these things, but rather we are oppressed by them. And what we need to do is work them back out by changing the habits that we have and changing our vices into virtues.

Ministering Spirits

There are what are called “ministering spirits”. Ministering spirits are huge things from the higher order of angels. They are the ones that live within the wounds that are inflicted upon us from the time that we are quite young, when there are traumatic things that happen in our lives when we are young (before 12 years old). These are the great, big things that get wrapped around our personality, and because of that, they are very, very difficult to even be able to recognize or to get rid of. The problem with ministering spirits is, first of all, they are exceedingly intelligent, which is why they go after little children rather than adults because their arrogance will not allow them to do anything else. They try to hide behind the personality of the people. These are the ones that will cause pride, selfishness, anger, and also fear. So when we see these kinds of problems in our lives, these are things that are rooted deep, deep within ourselves. They are in the wounds that were inflicted when we were young, and the only way to be able to get rid of them is to get inside and be able to address the woundedness, to heal those wounds that are there through forgiveness, through working through the various things in prayer. Slowly, we will be able to push these things away.

Occult Spirits

There are also occult spirits. These are the things that get in through occult practices. They can be sent or they can be summoned. For instance, if we allow ourselves to be involved in any kind of occult things: playing with a ouija board, going to a palm reader or to a psychic or somebody like that, getting ourselves into any kind of satanic thing. That is how we are going to get these occult spirits. But they can also be sent by somebody. That is, they can be sent along with a curse. They can be sent by someone who is in the occult, someone who does not like you very much, to cause you lots of problems. These are particularly vile creatures. Because they are occult spirits, they are not very easy to get rid of because they are nasty and tenacious and they fight back, whereas the other ones we can push out. But these are going to cause lots of problems as we try to get rid of them.

Familial Spirits

Then there are other categories that still fit under these three general headings. There are familial spirits, which are within the family and get passed down; for instance, if there is someone who is in the Masons. The Masons are the lowest form of human life on the face of the earth. They are an occult religion, and they are the most despicable of human beings. In order to move up the ladder, they actually offer their children and their grandchildren and generations down the line in order for their own selfish ambitions to be met. So there are curses that are put upon the families and upon the children, and those get passed down from generation to generation.

Generational Spirits

There are others that are also generational spirits, familial spirits. One of these, for instance, is incest. That is a generational and familial spirit; it gets passed down from generation to generation. You see the same problems within the family that get passed along. We wonder how it is possible that this can happen generation after generation; it is because of the spirit that is there. There are familiar spirits. That is a different spirit that has a familiarity with you because it was already there and the wound is not necessarily fully healed, so it can come in because there is a woundedness that is already present for it. And there are retaliating spirits. There are all kinds of different ways that these things can get in, but it is just to understand what it is that we are working against.

When we think about the struggles that we have, Saint James tells us, for instance, that we have these wars within our members and so on, but the reality is that the war, as Saint Paul tells us, is not against flesh and blood; it is against the principalities and powers of darkness and the rulers of the high places. It is against Satan and his minions, and we need to be clear. We do have our own weaknesses because of our own sins, but the fact of the matter is it is not merely just our little human weakness – it is our human weakness being compounded by something which is a spiritual problem. And in order to deal with a spiritual problem, you have to deal with it in a spiritual way.

Our Battle Is Not Against Flesh And Blood

So again, it is a matter of how we are going to combat these things. Remember Jesus said, “This type (of demon) can only be gotten rid of by prayer and fasting.” If you really want to be able to make headway on some of these things, you need to pray, you need to take on some penances, and you need to face the things directly. It is all of these things. It is not just a matter of saying, “If I pray it will go away.” It is not just a matter of saying, “If I try to change my habits it will make a difference.” These things will help all by themselves; but if we really want to be able to get rid of the problems in our lives, it is going to require all three of these things: to pray, to do penance, and to work at making the changes that we need, because we have our part to do but it is still a matter of recognizing where the trouble is coming from. Not merely just within our own selves and within our own weaknesses, but by the spirits that are there.

Three Levels Of Spirits

There are also three levels of these things. There are oppressive spirits. Those are the ones that all of us deal with. They are the things that are there causing us the trouble. There are obsessive spirits. That is where a person gets obsessed with occult things. And then there are possessive spirits. That is when a person opens himself up to actually be taken over, to become possessed. That is the one that is very, very rare. We have to understand that just because someone is dealing with spiritual things, which all of us are, it does not mean they are possessed. In fact, it is very rare that someone would be possessed.

I make these distinctions for you simply so you can understand why we struggle the way that we do in our spiritual lives, what it is that we are fighting against, and to help us understand that just because we are struggling against the devil and his minions does not mean that we are possessed and it does not mean that we have given ourselves over to Satan. Some of the things we are completely innocent of: the generational things, the ministering spirits, and so on. The fact is they are still there, and so we have to do our part to work against them. Look seriously at what is going on within your own heart and soul, and make a choice to really fight against them by prayer, by fasting, and by turning directly against the areas of weakness within yourself to throw out the devil.

by: Father Robert Altier

Our Lady of Fatima Novena - begins May 4th Through the 12th

The same verse is said once each day for the nine days.

Most Holy Virgin, who has deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three little shepherds the treasures of graces hidden in the recitation of the Rosary, inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion, so that by meditating on the mysteries of our redemption that are recalled in it, we may gather the fruits and obtain the conversion of sinners, the conversion of Russia, and this favor that I so earnestly seek, (mention your request) which I ask of you in this novena, for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of all souls. Amen.

(Say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times each)

Chaplet of Protection

This is said on regular Rosary Beads. It's very important for our day and this year in particular. Will be good to add to your regular daily prayers. I will also add it to the right side bar along with the other Chaplets.