Bishop Strickland: No Same-Sex Marriages on Catholic Grounds

“No Member of the Clergy or any Person Acting as Employee of the Church

may in any way Participate in the Solemnization or Consecration of
Same-Sex Marriages”  ~Bishop Joseph Strickland

Bishop Joseph Strickand’s Letter:

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, Tyler Diocese

On the morning of June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a 5-4 decision establishing the legal right of two individuals of the same sex to legally marry in all 50 states. By doing so, the Court has acted in contradiction to their duty to promote the common good, especially what is good for families. I join with the Bishops of the United States in calling this decision a “tragic error.”

Let me unambiguously state at the outset that this extremely unfortunate decision by our government is unjust and immoral, and it is our duty to clearly and emphatically oppose it. In spite of the decision by the Supreme Court, there are absolutely no grounds for considering unions between two persons of the same sex to be in any way similar to God’s plan for marriage and the family. Regardless of this decision, what God has revealed and what the Church therefore holds to be true about marriage has not changed and is unchangeable.

Marriage is not just a relationship between human beings that is based on emotions and feelings. Rather, our Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Traditions tell us that God established true marriage with its own special nature and purpose, namely the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children.

While taking a strong stand for marriage is the duty of all who call themselves Christian, every type of unjust discrimination against those with homosexual tendencies should be avoided. We must treat these individuals with loving kindness and respect based on their dignity as human persons. Christ rejects no one, but he calls all of us to be converted from our sinful inclinations and follow the truth He has revealed to us. Nevertheless, our continued commitment to the pastoral care of homosexual persons cannot and will not lead in any way to the condoning of homosexual behavior or our acceptance of the legal recognition of same-sex unions.

While some of us may have family members who have same-sex attraction, and there are even some who are members of our local churches, this decision to require the legal recognition of so-called marriage between homosexual persons should in no way lead us to believe that the living out of this orientation or the solemnizing of relationships between two persons of the same sex is a morally acceptable option.

must now exercise our right to conscientious objection against this interpretation of our law which is contrary to the common good and the true understanding of marriage.

Given this and recognizing my responsibility and moral authority as the shepherd of this Church of Tyler, I will shortly issue a decree in this Diocese establishing, as particular law, that no member of the clergy or any person acting as employee of the Church may in any way participate in the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages, and that no Catholic facilities or properties, including churches, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health or charitable institutions, or any places dedicated or consecrated, or use for Catholic worship, may be used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.

Finally, I call on the Catholic faithful to turn in prayer to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, asking their intercession for our nation that all of us may come to a greater understanding of the beauty, truth and goodness that is found in marriage as revealed to us by our Savior.

Given at the Diocesan Chancery
On the 26th day of June
Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing,
I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my
sins I offer You this poor heart of mine.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus goes back at least to the 11th century, but through the 16th century, it remained a private devotion, often tied to devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is commemorated on Friday following the second Sunday of the Pentecost. According to the scriptures, the "Sacred Heart of Jesus" denoted the entire mystery of Christ, the totality of his being, and his person considered in its most intimate essential: Son of God, uncreated wisdom; infinite charity, principal of the salvation and sanctification of mankind. The "Sacred Heart" is Christ, the Word Incarnate, Savior, intrinsically containing, in the Spirit, an infinite divine-human love for the Father and for his brothers.

Jesus, who is one with the Father invites his disciples to live in close communion with him, to model their lives on him and on his teaching. He, in turn, reveals himself as "meek and humble of heart". Aside from the liturgical celebrations, many devotional exercises are connected with the Sacred heart of Jesus has remained one of the most widespread and popular in the church. May we then gaze at the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a humble and meek heart and seek His guidance always.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meditation

Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as we know it, began about the year 1672. On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, in France, and during these apparitions He explained to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. he asked to be honored in the symbol of His Heart of flesh; he asked for acts of reparation, for frequent Communion, Communion on the First Friday of the month, and the keeping of the Holy Hour.
When the Catholic Church approved the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she did not base her action only on the visions of Saint Margaret Mary. The Church approved the devotion on its own merits. There is only one Person in Jesus, and that Person was at the same time God and Man. His Heart, too, is Divine -- it is the Heart of God.
There are two things that must always be found together in the devotion to the Sacred Heart: Christ's Heart of flesh and Christ's love for us. True devotion to the Sacred Heart means devotion to the Divine Heart of Christ insofar as His Heart represents and recalls His love for us.
In honoring the Heart of Christ, our homage lingers on the Person of Jesus in the fullness of His love. This love of Christ for us was the moving force of all he did and suffered for us -- in Nazareth, on the Cross, in giving Himself in the Blessed Sacrament, in His teaching and healing, in His praying and working. When we speak of the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus showing us His Heart, Jesus all love for us and all lovable.
Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God's infinite love. The Human Nature which the Son of God took upon Himself was filled with love and kindness that has never found an equal. He is the perfect model of love of God and neighbor.
Every day of His life was filled with repeated proofs of "Christ's love that surpasses all knowledge" (Eph 3:19). Jesus handed down for all time the fundamental feature of His character: "Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart" (Mt 11:29). He invited all, refusing none, surprising friends and rivals by His unconditional generosity. The meaning of love in the life of Jesus was especially evident in His sufferings. Out of love for His Father He willed to undergo the death of the Cross. "The world must know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has commanded Me" (Jn 14:31).
The love that Jesus bore toward us also urged Him to undergo the death of the Cross. At the Last Supper, He said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" (Jn 15:13)
The Heart of Jesus never ceases to love us in heaven. He sanctifies us through the Sacraments. These are inexhaustible fountains of grace and holiness which have their source in the boundless ocean of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Novena Prayer

Divine Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you." Behold me kneeling at Your feet, filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by Your Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to ask this favor: Mention your request).
To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all the riches of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I have recourse to You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials, and light in doubt and darkness.
Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favors, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of You, and Your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for granting my prayer.

Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all Your creatures forever.

Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate Heart of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child, and her prayers are all-powerful with You. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Offering

My God, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Your favors, in reparation for my sins, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the needs of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“For this, O Jesus, was Your sacred Side pierced, that it might give us an easy entrance. Your Heart was opened that we might dwell there, safe from exterior disturbances. In addition to this, You were pierced by a spear, so that through the visible Wound, we could see the invisible one which love inflicted on You, for He who burns with love, is wounded by love. What better evidence of Your ardent love could You have given us than by permitting the lance to pierce, not only Your Body, but even Your Heart? The wound in Your Flesh then shows forth the wound in Your Spirit. “Who will not love that Heart so deeply wounded? Who will not return love to One who so loved us? Who will not embrace a Spouse so chaste? Certainly the soul loves You in return, O Lord, who, knowing itself to be wounded by Your love, cries to You: Your charity has wounded me! We too, pilgrims in the flesh, love as much as we can, and embrace the One who was wounded for us, whose Hands, Feet, Side, and Heart were pierced. Let us love and pray: ‘O Jesus, deign to bind our hearts, still so hard and unrepentant, with the chain of Your love and wound them with its dart’” (St. Bonaventure).
“O Jesus, a soldier opened Your side with his lance, so that, through the gaping wound, we might know the charity of Your Heart, which loved us unto death, and that we might enter into Your unutterable love through the same channel by which it came to us. Approach, then, O my soul, the Heart of Christ, that magnanimous Heart, that hidden Heart, that Heart which thinks of all things and knows all things; that loving Heart, all on fire with love. Make me understand, O Lord, that the door of Your Heart was forced open by the vehemence of Your love. Allow me to enter into the secret of that love which was hidden from all eternity, but is now revealed by the wound in Your Heart” (St. Bernardine of Siena).

Prepare to be BLOWN AWAY!

Before Adam took his first breath, before Mary gave her fiat, before the Word became FLESH and dwelt among us ... OUR FATHER in Heaven gave us the cross that binds life together!!!! ~TOTALLY AMAZING~

LAMININ the Protein that Binds our Bodies Together 

Here is a picture .. a scientific picture, of the protein called LAMININ ...
"Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue."  
Laminins are what hold us together - LITERALLY. 
They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart.
(Much like the current state of our country having rid itself of the CROSS!)

NOW ... TELL ME WE DON'T HAVE A COMPLETELY AWESOME GOD!!!!

Don't believe me? Do a search for images of LAMININ .. or just LAMININ and see what you come up with! LOL .... 

'He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible And invisible, whether Thrones or Powers or Rulers or Authorities; All things were created by Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.'   ~Colossians 1:15-17              

NOVENA in HONOR of OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

FIRST DAY THE TITLE OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine 
Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God! 
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and our tender Mother, we invoke thee under the title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, because thou art the Mother of the Savior who lives in the Eucharist, and because it was from thee that He took the Flesh and Blood with which He there feeds us! We invoke thee under that title because, again, thou art the sovereign dispensatrix of all graces and, consequently, of those contained in the august Eucharist, also, because thou didst first fulfill the duties of the Eucharistic life, teaching us by thy example how to assist properly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how to communicate worthily, and how to visit frequently and piously the Most Blessed Sacrament. 
V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.  R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us! 


Let us pray:  Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in The Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen. 


PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be worthy to receive Holy Communion every day. 
Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. 


SECOND DAY MARY AND THE HOLY MASS O Sacrament Most Holy, etc.  Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate, after having been present at the death of thy Divine Son on Calvary, where thou didst unite thy immense sorrow to the Redeemer's sacrifice, thou didst frequently assist at the real, though mysterious, renewal of that adorable sacrifice in the celebration of the Holy Mass. Teach us by thy example to esteem as it deserves the divine action performed at the altar, and obtain for us the grace to be able often, and even daily, to assist piously at the Holy Sacrifice. 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


THIRD DAY MARY AND HOLY COMMUNION O Sacrament Most Holy, etc.  Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate, thy Communions were the most fervent, the most holy that were ever made! When thou didst possess thy Divine Son in thy breast, thou didst love Him with a love exceeding that of any other creature soever for his God. Teach us to make Holy Communion the center of our life, and may that life be spent in preparing us for so great an action and in thanking God for so inappreciable a benefit!
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


FOURTH DAY MARY AND THE REAL PRESENCE O Sacrament Most Holy, etc.  Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate, who after the ascension of thy Divine Son, didst console thy exile on earth by thy Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament, and didst spend before the tabernacle the greater part of thy days and even thy nights, make us comprehend the treasure we possess on the altar. Inspire us to visit often the God of Love in the Sacrament in which He abides to receive the homage that He deserves by so many titles, and to guide. protect, and console us in this exile! 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


FIFTH DAY MARY, THE MODEL OF ADORERS O Sacrament Most Holy, etc.  Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate, thou art our perfect Model in the service of the Divine Eucharist. With the most lively faith and the most profound respect thou didst adore Jesus 
hidden under the sacramental veils. After thy example we desire to render to the Sacred Host all the honor due the Divinity and the glorified Humanity of the Son of God made Man. We wish to maintain at all times in the holy place the modesty and recollection becoming true adorers. 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


SIXTH DAY MARY, THE MODEL OF THANKSGIVING O Sacrament Most Holy, etc.  Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate, who didst return to Jesus so perfect a Thanksgiving for the institution of the Divine Eucharist and the ineffable Gift in which the Savior exhausted His power and the treasures of His Heart, teach us to thank thy Divine Son for this great benefit, and especially to make our thanksgiving well when we have had the happiness of receiving Him in Holy Communion. 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


SEVENTH DAY  MARY, THE MODEL OF REPARATION O Sacrament Most Holy, etc. Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate thou didst adore thy Divine Son in His state of perpetual Victim, always immolated on our altars, incessantly demanding, by His death, grace and mercy for sinners. We unite with thy dolors and thy perfect reparation. We desire to accept our daily trials for love of Him, and with thee to console Jesus for the ingratitude of men and the outrages He daily receives in the Blessed Sacrament. 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


EIGHTH DAY MARY, THE MODEL OF PRAYER O Sacrament most holy, etc. Blessed be the holy, etc. 
O Virgin Immaculate, while the Apostles went to preach the Gospel, thou didst remain close to the tabernacle, supplicating for them the goodness of the Savior, and thy prayer obtained for them the grace to convert the world! Teach us to pray, above all, to pray near the tabernacle, where Jesus wills to abide continually in order to hear our petitions. Teach us to pray for the extension of the Eucharistic kingdom, for the salvation of the whole world, for the exaltation of the Holy Church, and most especially for the sanctification of the clergy and the conversion of sinners. 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


NINTH DAY MARY, THE DISPENSATRIX OF EUCHARISTIC GRACES O Sacrament Most Holy, etc.  Blessed be the holy, etc. 
0 Virgin Immaculate, Mother most loving and admirable Model of adorers of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, thou art also the dispensatrix of the graces necessary to fulfill that great duty! Grant us, then, we beseech thee, as the fruit of this novena, the virtues that will render our adoration less unworthy of thy Divine Son. Teach us to honor so well this Mystery of mysteries that we may receive here below the graces it contains, in order to enjoy in heaven the eternal life of which it is the pledge! 
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as on the first day


Taken from Volume VII of the Eymard Library Courtesy of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Special Novena

Please join my friend Jen and myself in a very easy, but very important novena ... 9 Memorare's a day/9 Days. It begins this Friday (4/17/15) for the deliverance of the persecuted, and the protection and conversion of our nation. Please tell all you know and let's really get this FLYING! Thank you! 

 http://veilsandvocations.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-novena-and-giveaway-in-7qt.html

http://veilsandvocations.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-flying-novena.html

Blessed Margaret de Castello

FEAST DAY: April 13th

Margaret de Castello was born blind and disfigured. She is the patroness of the 
poor, crippled, and the unwanted.  Her parents Parisio and Emilia imprisoned her so no one would see her, though she could receive the Sacraments when the priest visited her.  Her parents took her to the tomb in Citta di Castello of a holy man named Fra Giacomo, where miracles were reportedly being wrought, to pray for a cure for her birth defects. When no miracle happened, they abandoned her there. She was found by local women who, despite Margaret’s infirmities, adopted her. She eventually became an adopted child of the village. She lived in prayer and charity, helping the poor.

When Margaret grew older, the nun of a local convent offered her a home. At the prospect of living with the religious Margaret rejoiced. However, the village took her joy as a reproach to the community that raised her. She was once again sent out to the streets by persecution and lies.

Fortunately there were a few people left who helped her again and offered her shelter. At fifteen Margaret was given the habit of a tertiary from the Dominican fathers. From thereon, she lived a life entirely devoted to God.

Margaret started performing miraculous cures and acts. In her desire to show gratitude to the people who found and raised her in Citta-di-Castello she established a school for the children whose parents were working. Her school prospered having taught the children their duty to God, devotion to the Child Jesus and the Psalms, which despite her blindness, she learned at the convent. Margaret died at the age of thirty-three. 

 She was born blind, lame, deformed, hunchbacked and a dwarf. When she died at the age of 33, crowds at her funeral demanded she be buried inside the church. After a crippled girl was miraculously cured at the funeral, the priest allowed Margaret’s burial inside.

In 1558, Margaret’s remains were transferred because her coffin was rotten. Her clothes were also rotten, but her body was preserved. She was beatified on October 19, 1609 by Pope Paul V. Her canonization is pending.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

SHORT NOVENA PRAYER

O God, by Whose Will the blessed virgin Margaret was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened  she might think without ceasing on You alone, be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows of this world, and reach the home of never ending light. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be ....

Prayer for Canonization

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God's Will, for His honor and glory and the salvation of souls.

HE IS RISEN! ...

... HE IS TRULY RISEN!

What can be said of Easter that hasn't already been said? Let us just strive to never take for granted what we've been raised with; having become so familiar with the site of a Crucifix, an empty tomb or the story of the Passion.

Let us always seek to delve more deeply into this Passion that gave us true freedom and reconciled us to the Father. Pray always for an increase in Faith and to love Him for all those that don't and even more for all those that do .. let us ask to love Him for the WHOLE WORLD! 

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory, Beloved of our souls! 

Blessed Margaret de Castello NOVENA - 4/5-4/12

Novena to Blessed Margaret de Castello
Memorial Day: April 13th

Margaret de Castello was born blind and disfigured. She was abandoned by her parents at the age of about six or seven at the parish church in Citta-di-Castello in Umbria Italy. She was found by local women who, despite Margaret’s infirmities, adopted her. She eventually became an adopted child of the village.

When Margaret grew older, the nun of a local convent offered her a home. At the prospect of living with the religious Margaret rejoiced. However, the village took her joy as a reproach to the community that raised her. She was once again sent out to the streets by persecution and lies.

Fortunately there were a few people left who helped her again and offered her shelter. At fifteen Margaret was given the habit of a tertiary from the Dominican fathers. From thereon, she lived a life entirely devoted to God.

Margaret started performing miraculous cures and acts. In her desire to show gratitude to the people who found and raised her in Citta-di-Castello she established a school for the children whose parents were working. Her school prospered having taught the children their duty to God, devotion to the Child Jesus and the Psalms, which despite her blindness, she learned at the convent. Margaret died at the age of thirty-three.

Novena to the Blessed Margaret of Castello

First Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
In embracing your life just as it was,
You gave us an example of resignation
To the Will of God.

In so accepting God’s Will,
You knew that you would grow in virtue,
Glorify God, save your own soul,
And help the souls of your neighbors.

Obtain for me the grace,
To recognize the will of God,
In all that may happen to me in my life,
And so resign myself to it.
Obtain for me also the special favor,
Which I now ask,
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Second Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
In reflecting so deeply
Upon the sufferings and death
Of our Crucified Lord,
You learned courage
And gained the grace
To bear your own afflictions.
Obtain for me
The grace and courage
That I so urgently need
So as to be able to bear
My infirmities and endure my afflictions
In union with our Suffering Savior.
Obtain for me also
The special favor which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Third Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
Your love for Jesus
In the Blessed Sacrament
Was intense and enduring.
It was here
In intimacy with the Divine Presence
That you found spiritual strength
To accept suffering,
To be cheerful, patient and kindly
Towards others.
Obtain for me the grace
That I may draw from this same source,
As from an exhaustible font,
The strength whereby I may be
Kind and understanding
Of everyone despite whatever pain or discomfort
May come my way.
Obtain for your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Fourth Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
You unceasingly turned to God in prayer
With confidence and trust
In His Fatherly love.
It was only through continual prayer
That you were enabled
To accept your misfortunes,
To be serene, patient, and at peace.
Obtain for me the grace
To persevere in my prayer,
Confident that God will give me
The help to carry whatever cross
Comes into my life.
Obtain for me also the special favor
Which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Fifth Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
In imitation of the Child Jesus,
Who was subject to Mary and Joseph,
You obeyed your father and mother,
Overlooking their unnatural harshness.
Obtain for me
That same attitude of obedience
Toward all those
Who have legitimate authority over me,
Most especially toward
The Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Obtain for me also
The special favor which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Sixth Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
Your miseries taught you
Better than any teacher
The weakness and frailty
Of human nature.
Obtain for me
The grace to recognize
My human limitations
And to acknowledge
My utter dependence upon God.
Acquire for me
That abandonment which leaves me
Completely at the mercy of God
To do with me whatsoever He wills.
Obtain for me also
The special favor which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Seventh Day:
O blessed Margaret of Castello,
You could have so easily
Become discouraged and bitter;
But, instead, you fixed your eyes
On the suffering Christ
And there you learned from Him
The redemptive value of suffering -
How to offer your pains and aches,
In reparation for sin
And for the salvation of souls.
Obtain for me the grace
To learn how to endure
My sufferings with patience.
Obtain for me also
The special favor which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Eigth Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
How it must have hurt
When your parents abandoned you!
Yet you learned from this
That all earthly love and affection,
Even for those who are closest,
Must be sanctified.
And so, despite everything,
You continued to love your parents –
But now you loved them in God.
Obtain for me the grace
That I might see
All my human loves and affections
In their proper perspective…
In God and for god. Obtain for me also
The special favor which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Ninth Day:
O Blessed Margaret of Castello,
Through your suffering and misfortune,
You became sensitive
To the sufferings of others.
Your heart reached out
To everyone in trouble –
The sick, the hungry, the dying prisoners.
Obtain for me the grace
To recognize Jesus in everyone
With whom I come into contact,
Especially in the poor,
The wretched, the unwanted!
Obtain for me also
The special favor which I now ask
Through your intercession with God.

Let us pray…

O God by whose Will
The blessed virgin, Margaret,
Was blind from birth,
That the eyes of her mind
Being inwardly enlightened
She might think without ceasing
On You alone;
Be the light of our eyes,
That we may be able
To flee the shadows in this world,
And reach the home
Of never-ending light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
Glorify your servant blessed Margaret,
By granting the favor
We so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
To God’s Will,
For His Honor and Glory
And the salvation of souls.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Prayer
O my God, I thank you
For having given
Blessed Margaret of Castello
To the world as an example
Of the degree of holiness
That can be attained by anyone
Who truly loves you,
Regardless of physical abnormalities.
In today’s perverted culture,
Margaret would have, most likely,
Never been born;
Death through abortion
Being preferable to life,
Especially life
In an ugly distorted twisted body.
But Your ways are not the world’s ways…
And so it was Your Will
That Margaret would be born into the world
With just such a malformed body.
It is Your way that uses our weakness
To give testimony to Your power.
Margaret was born blind,
So as to see You more clearly;
A cripple, so as to lean on You completely;
Dwarfed in physical posture,
So as to become a giant in the spiritual order;
Hunch-backed,
So as to more perfectly resemble
The twisted, crucified body of Your Son.
Margaret’s whole life
Was an enactment of the words
Expressed by Paul:
“So I shall be very happy
To make my weaknesses my special boast
So that the power of Christ may stay over me
And that is why I am content
With my weaknesses,
And with insults, hardships,
Persecutions and the agonies
I go through for Christ’s sake.
For it is when I am weak that I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10).

I beseech you, O God,
To grant through the intercession
Of Blessed Margaret of Castello,
That all the handicapped …
And who among us is not?…
All rejected, all unwanted of the world
May make their weaknesses
Their own special boast
So that your power may stay over them
Now and forever. Amen.

Blessed Margaret of Castello, pray for us.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…

~~~~~~~~~~~~

SHORT NOVENA PRAYER

O God, by Whose Will the blessed
virgin Margaret was blind from birth,
that the eyes of her mind being
inwardly enlightened she might think
without ceasing on You alone, be
the light of our eyes, that we may
be able to flee the shadows of this
world, and reach the home of never-
ending light. We ask this through
Christ, our Lord.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be to
the Father.

Prayer for Canonization

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your
servant blessed Margaret, by grant-
ing the favor we so ardently desire.
This we ask in humble submission
to God's Will, for His honor and
glory and the salvation of souls.

Divine Mercy Novena begins Good Friday

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy, which falls on the Sunday following Easter, be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy. This nine day Novena begins on Good Friday.
Jesus gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote: "On each day of the novena you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."

The different souls to pray for on each day of the novena are as follows:

1. Day 1: Good Friday
   All mankind, especially sinners  "Today bring to Me All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
   
2. Day 2: Holy Saturday
   The souls of priests and religious "Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, from Whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy Who is in heaven. 
   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
3. Day 3: Easter Sunday
   All devout and faithful souls "Today bring to Me All Devout and Faithful Souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in the great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
   Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy Faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
4. Day 4: Easter Monday
   Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
   "Today bring to Me Those Who Do Not Believe In God and Those Who Do Not Yet Know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
   
   Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your  wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which  is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart  of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not  know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too,  may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
5. Day 5: Easter Tuesday
   The souls of separated brethren "Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy. 
   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your Own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
6. Day 6: Easter Wednesday
   The meek and humble souls and the souls of children "Today bring to Me The Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of  Little Children and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. 
   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls and upon little children, who are enfolded in the abode of the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight you take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
7. Day 7: Easter Thursday
   The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Especially Venerate and Glorify My Mercy and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your Mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident in Your Mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. 
   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.
8. Day 8: Easter Friday
   The souls who are detained in purgatory
   "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Are Detained in Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only know the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
   
   Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated. 
   Eternal Father, turn Your most merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
9. Day 9: Easter Saturday
   The souls who have become lukewarm  "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Have Become Lukewarm and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
   
   Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like
   corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power. 
   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen
   
   

   

• How to Recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy