Let us ask the Virgin Mary, always to keep alive in us this faith impregnated by love, which made her, the humble girl of Nazareth, Mother of God and model for all believers. ~ Pope Benedict XVI ~
We don't know much about Martha except that she...and her sister, Mary, and brother Lazarus...were dear friends of Jesus...probably wealthy...and...that she was so busy cooking, cleaning, and complaining about it all, that she usually lost sight of more important matters.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ~Luke 10:38-42~
Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ~John 11:21~
Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” ~John 11:39~
I confess right now, that I have never been able to relate to Martha. I have always found her to be short-sighted...too busy...do-ing...to just be. Too busy complaining about her sister to just love.
And yet, it is in just be-ing that we find peace.
It is in taking our place at the feet of our Lord that we learn how to love.
How about YOU?
Are YOU a "do"-er?
Always...
Everywhere?
Are YOU always complaining about all YOU do?
Are YOU always complaining that no one helps YOU?
Then, it's probably time for YOU to just be!
Take the time so necessary for YOUR soul and YOUR psyche to just "be"...
AND, more importantly...
to let Christ just "be" in YOU!
Once Jesus...gently...instructed Martha on the proper place of faith in service...her complaints ceased...and her service became filled with love.
The same can be true for YOU.
If YOU just take some time to be infused..as Martha was...with the love of our Lord!
I was watching a show called God is Good on Telecare the other morning. There was a sister on the show from Nebraska talking about her conversion, and subsequent founding of a religious order.
She was telling about how after she had been a Catholic for three whole months, she realized that she didn't even know the Blessed Mother. So, she decided to go to Adoration on Holy Thursday evening to spend a holy hour with Christ. She went on to say that she brought many books with her because she wasn't sure how she would spend a full hour in prayer.
As she sat praying, she began to meditate on Jesus' words: "I thirst."
The sister too, began to pray: "I thirst."
She envisioned herself with Jesus in the garden and she told him that she thirsted to know Mary. Soon a woman entered the garden in her meditation, and Jesus introduced that woman as his mother.
The story this sister was telling was faith-filled and beautiful. And, it got me to thinking...
For what do I thirst?
I thirst for:
peace,
justice,
righteousness,
guidance,
health,
love,
reconciliation!
And, just like the good sister, I find all of these in Christ!
As a little girl in Catholic School (Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Bayside, Queens...YEA OLBS!) I won a raffle. The raffle tickets were 10 cents each (oops is my age showing?). The prize was an 18 inch cream colored plastic statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary donated by one of the other children's dad.
It became my prized possession!
Every year, after I won that statue, I would set up a May Altar in my bedroom with fresh lilacs from the bush in the backyard of the garden apartment we lived in at the time. I prayed to Mary every single day...still do.
The Blessed Mother is perfect! She is the shining example of what women and especially mothers should be. Her "yes" to God saved us all!
The Blessed Virgin Mary is Mother of us all!
For those of us, whose mothers can't or won't be present to us at times or always, due to death, mental illness, drug abuse, family drama, or other circumstances beyond their or our control, I assure you The Blessed Mother is present for you ALWAYS!
And, what better mother could you ask for?
Several years ago, the Knights of Columbus in our parish erected a beautiful grotto for the Blessed Mother. I love this statue even more than my 18 inch prize.
This Blessed Mother is life size. I can stand before her and pray and imagine myself talking face to face with my holy mother. It is incredible.
As I drive by the statue each morning, I say this quick prayer: "Blessed Mother, please intercede for me this day, with your beloved Son."
If you cannot be with your biological mother today, for whatever reason, and this day is difficult for you because of that...Pray To The Blessed Mother.
Tell Mary, your cares, your woes, your concerns, your goals, whatever it is that is on your heart.
She will listen.
You will find peace.
And, best of all she has an "IN" with our beloved Lord, Jesus Christ!
What more could you ask for in a mother??
Do it, I guarantee you'll feel better about yourself and your world!
A pilgrim on the journey... following some, side by side with others, and leading still more.
MA in Theology;
Eighteen Years in Catechesis; Nine Years as DRE in a Catholic Parish.
I've learned to pray it...let it go...and wait...not always the answer I want...but, always...ALWAYS...the answer I need.
Dear Lord,
We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words:
"Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of Saint Joseph, Mary's most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother's own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory, and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Saint John Vianney,
Pray For Us.
PRAYER TO THE APOSTLE PAUL
Glorious St. Paul, most zealous Apostle, martyr for the love of Christ, give us a deep faith, a steadfast hope, a burning love for our Lord; so that we can proclaim with you, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Help us to become apostles serving the Church with a pure heart, witnesses to her truth and beauty amidst the darkness of our days. With you we praise God our Father: “To Him be the glory, in the Church and in Christ, now and forever.” Amen.
Saint Paul, Pray For Us.
PROCEDURE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
1. Greet the priest.
2. While making the Sign of the Cross say: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (length of time) since my last confession."
3. List your sins. Use this link to help you examine your conscience beforehand: Examination of Conscience
4. When you are done say: "For these and all the sins of my past life I am truly sorry."
5. Listen for Father's advice and your Penance.
6. Pray The Act of Contrition (see below).
7. Wait for Absolution.
8. Make the Sign of the Cross as Father blesses you.
9. Thank, Father and go do your Penance.
10. Bask in the glow of renewal and peace!
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In His name, my God have mercy. Amen.
I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.
Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Divine Mercy Novena
I fly to Your Mercy, Compassionate God, Who alone are good. Although my misery is great and my offenses are many, I trust in Your Mercy because You are the God of Mercy, and it has never been heard of in all ages, nor do Heaven or Earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your Mercy has been disappointed.
(State your intentions)
Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven.You are my peace.You are my salvation.You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts. Amen.
Miraculous Medal Novena
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (Pray 3 times.)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who have vouchsafed to glorify by numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, immaculate from the first moment of her conception, grant that all who devoutly implore her protection on earth, may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, who, with the Father and Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Your greatest works, have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight; and who for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested to Saint Catherine Laboure, grant, we beseech You, that filled with like humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work. Amen.
MEMORARE
Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother; to you we come; before you we kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your clemency hear and answer them. Amen.
NOVENA PRAYER
O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this Novena, if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the souls for whom we pray.
(Here make your request.)
You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity. Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of angels and of men. Amen.
AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son. O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (Pray 3 times.)
Novena To The Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially:
(state your intention).
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.
Amen.
SAINT JOSEPH NOVENA
Feast of St. Joseph Novena Dates March 10-18, Feast Day March 19
O good father Joseph! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to obtain for me what I ask.
(Here make your request)
Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers, everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Be near to me in my last moments, that I may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen.
Pray: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Novena To St. Jude
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly
(Make Your Request Here)
and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen
PRAYER
May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen.
May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen
St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen.
Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all eternity. Amen.
Pray Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
CHAPLET OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father...
[Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels]
1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.
2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.
3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.
4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.
5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.
6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.
7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.
9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come in Heaven. Amen.
Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.
Concluding Prayers:
O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence.
This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
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