On Silence

Photo taken at Blessed Sacrament Church, Paterson, NJ

The Sinner's Guide has a very good post on silent prayer Calming the Storm: Working Toward the Silence a Prophet Needs

The following are tips in achieving this much sought for silence:

Practical:

- Make your time for silence the same time every day: This makes it a priority and a set part of your schedule. Make it a time when you don’t have to worry about the phone ringing or distractions. It also creates a rhythm in your life which can be important in your prayer life.

- Sit comfortably unless you are used to kneeling: Quieting our minds is one of the hardest parts and being uncomfortable will only fill your mind with complaints. Work to remove the selfishness that causes these complaints but don’t let them ruin your silence.

- Plan 10 minutes before to write down thoughts: Thoughts about things you need to do will rob your silence. Grab a notebook and write them all down before hand so you don’t have to worry. Each time you write it down think to yourself, “ Now I don’t have to worry about this.”

- Give it time: If you are striving for silent prayer you can’t expect it to happen in 10 minutes everyday. The silence needs time to develop.

Spiritual:

- Go to confession often: Sin robs our heart of silence. Many of the thoughts we can’t get rid of are because of sin in our life. After prayer time write down those thoughts that were interrupting your silence so that you can find out where they come from and take them captive.

- Cultivate a spirit of poverty and humility: The humble soul has nothing to say but comes to the Lord of heaven and earth poor and needy of His love. Pray for humility. Think of talking to an expert in your field. The expert will know what to say to you. He doesn’t need you to speak, you need to listen.

- Don’t stop knocking: This is not easy. Try again each and everyday. Struggle for silence. Battle for silence. Remember this Silence is love. Keep knocking on the door of the heart of Jesus.

- Don’t lead: So much of our spiritual life comes from our plans, words and deeds. Tell God that you surrender the time to Him and approach Him like the disciples saying, “Lord, teach me to pray.”

- Fall in love with Jesus: When you are in love you want to be in constant communication with your beloved. Fall head over heels in love with Jesus. He will take you to the prayer he desires you to have.

St. Bernard's Vision of the Angels

Source for the Vision of St. Bernard

While St. Bernard was in the church one night at matins, he had a vision, in which God made known to him the manner in which the religious were saying their prayers. He saw the angel guardians of the monks standing near them with pens in their hands. Some of these angels wrote in letters of gold, and others in letters of silver. Some were writing with common ink, and others with water, while a few stood sorrowfully, and did not write anything at all in their books.

As the Saint was gazing in wonder at the vision, and pondering in his mind what it signified, an angel said to him: "The religious whose guardian angels are writing in letters of gold are those who say their prayers with great attention, and are full of Divine love. Those whose angels are writing in silver letters love God well, and pray with great attention, but are less fervent and less perfect than the others. Those whose guardian angels are writing with ink have, indeed, a certain desire to please God, but there is not much fervor in their souls; while those whose angels are writing with water are honoring God only with their lips; their hearts are far from Him, and are full of distractions. Those beside whom the angels are standing with sad countenances, and are writing nothing in their books, have already lost the grace of God, and their prayers are only a mockery of Him."

The holy man made known to them in the morning what he had seen. Those who were fervent were encouraged to persevere, and those who had become negligent were aroused to serve God more faithfully.

The Catechism in Examples (Life of St. Salvi) by Rev. Chisholm, NAS Letter June 2010

Eucharistic Procession - God in the Streets of Honolulu

Yesterday, when the Diocese of  Honolulu celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, The Holy Eucharist was processed, accompanied by priests, deacons, boy scouts the Knights of Columbus and the faithful, from St. Theresa, the Co-Cathedral to Our Lady of Peace Cathedral in Downtown.  In case you missed it, like I unfortunately had to, here are some highlights.

A big mahalo to Dann Ebina for sharing some of his beautiful photos with me so I can in turn share them with you.

Feast of Corpus Christi

Photos by Easter A.

Ecce Panis Angelorum,
Factus cibus viatorum
Vere panis filiorum,
Non mittendus canibus.

In figuris praesignatur,
Cum Isaac immolatur,
Agnus Paschae deputatur,
Datur manna patribus.

Bone pastor, panis vere,
Jesu, nostri miserere:
Tu nos pasce, nos tuere,
Tu nos bona fac videre
In terra viventium.

Tu qui cuncta scis et vales,
Qui nos pascis hic mortales:
Tuos ibi commensales,
Coheredes et sodales
Fac sanctorum civium.
Amen.

The source and English translation can be found here.

Interested in the Top 200 Catholic Blogs?

Well, apparently blogger Eric Sammons was. He came up with a way to find out exactly that answer. Check out the results of the 25 most popular Catholic Blogs as well as a link to the top 200 Catholic Blogs over at Most Popular Catholic Blogs

Movie about Polish priest Jerzy Popieluszko, chaplain to Solidarity Move...

Eucharistic & Marian Congress in Lima Peru

Please listen to the message.

The Blessed Virgin Mary

Female Author Writes Book For Boys About Becoming Men? Author To be Interviewed on CatholicTV

BOSTON- On June 15th, Cheryl Dickow co-author of “All Things Guy”, a book which aims to teach boys aged 9 to 13 to become “Men Who Matter”, will be interviewed on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM.

All Things Guy discusses the dignity of the person, relationships (family, friends, bullies, girls), virtues, vocations, puberty, the importance of knowing history, a prayer plan and examples of strong Catholic men today.

Catholic writer and speaker Lisa Hendey wrote of the book, “All Things Guy: A Guide to Becoming a Man that Matters is chock full of great content presented in a fashion that will appeal to boys. Mixed in with the messages on dignity, virtues, and becoming a “Man that Matters” are mazes, puzzles, games and activities that drive home the authors’ points. I particularly enjoyed the “Media and Men that Matter” and “Know Your History” chapters. The book is aimed at readers ages nine through 13, but could be read to younger boys under adult supervision and will also be enjoyed by older boys due to the depth of the content included.”

Cheryl Dickow is a Catholic wife, mother, author, speaker and publisher. She is a columnist with work appearing on several sites including Catholic Exchange, National Catholic Register and Catholic.net. She has a Master’s Degree in Education and lives in the beautiful state of Michigan.

Episodes of This is the Day are posted on the site’s archives starting the same night of the broadcast day. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72

CatholicTV broadcasts across the US on Sky Angel channel 142, and selected cable outlets in New England and in Chattanooga (TN) where CatholicTV is available on FiTV channel 153. To find out where to watch CatholicTV visit: http://www.CatholicTV.com/schedule/where-to-watch.aspx

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, the CatholicTV Network features its cable TV station, Catholic web site, mobile apps and widget. Celebrate Mass online; pray The Rosary; enjoy programs on prayer, the saints, the Scriptures and the Catholic Church on America's Catholic Television Network.

“This is the Day” can also be seen on demand at www.CatholicTV.com or downloaded via iTunes.com.and SQPN.com The hosts, Director of CatholicTV, Father Robert Reed, and General Manager, Jay Fadden discuss various topics of the week and respond to viewer mail (you may email the show at thisistheday@CatholicTV.com)

Death of Bishop Luigi Padovese

First Thursday - Plenary Indulgence

A reminder from Father Z. Thank you Father!
BTW, I will also take the time to remind those of you in the Diocese of Honolulu, that there will be adoration, procession and Mass to close the Year of the Priest, tomorrow, Thursday, June 3rd, at the Co-Cathedral. The event starts at 5pm. Confession will be available that evening prior to Mass.

Remember! The final 1st Thursday in Year for Priests.
In this year dedicated to priests and prayer for priests, Holy Church has provided lay people with a special plenary indulgence on first Thursdays of each month.

For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

To obtain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."

The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions designated by the Pope.

This is the last 1st Thursday in the Year for Priests. The last opportunity for this indulgence with be the final day of the Year for Priests.

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Padre Pio recited this novena every day for all those who requested his prayers.

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 to the Father....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

Novena Source EWTN

From the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi: Novena of Atonement to the Sacred Heart

Nine-day prayer of reparation begins June 2, concludes with the feast of the Sacred Heart on June 11.

Rome, Italy. May 31, 2010. As the feast of the Sacred Heart approaches, all Legionaries and consecrated members of Regnum Christi will be praying a special novena of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus this June 2 – 11. We invite all Regnum Christi members and friends to join us. (Links to two novena prayers you might want to use are offered below.)

This is a unique stage in the history of the Legion and the Regnum Christi Movement. The very grave and objectively immoral actions of our founder have left deep wounds. They have caused a grave scandal, both inside and outside of our spiritual family. We have all felt its effects, and perhaps our certainties and hopes have undergone some doubts and questions. In times like these, there is only one person to whom we can turn: Christ, the only one who makes all things new.

Read the rest here

Proper Attire for Mass

I found this article on Deacon John's blog.

... 1. Men should wear formal shoes to Church. We used to call these hard shoes (because they were) but today many formal shoes are actually quite comfortable.

2. Men should wear trousers (not jeans).

3. Men should never wear shorts to Church.

4. Men should wear a decent shirt, preferably a button down shirt. If it is a pullover shirt it should include a collar. Wearing a plain t-shirt without a collar is too informal.

5. Men should consider wearing a tie to Church and in cooler weather, a suit coat. Some may consider this a bit too stuffy and formal but who knows, you might be a trend setter!

6. Now as I talk about women I know I’ll get in some trouble!

7. Women should wear decent shoes to Church. Flip flops, beach sandals etc. seem inappropriate.

8. Women should not wear shorts to Church.

9. Women, if they wear pants, should never wear jeans to Church. Some nice slacks that are not too tight can be fine.

10. Women should consider wearing a dress or at least a skirt in preference to pants. It just looks a bit more formal than pants.

11. Women should wear a nice blouse (if they are not wearing a full dress). The blouse or shirt they wear should not be too tight.

12. Sleeveless garments are pushing it a bit but can be acceptable.

13. Women should never wear tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, or bare midriffs to Church.

14. Well, you may have at this list. Add or subtract as you will.

St. Peter's Mass

A Catholic Prayer of Thanksgiving

Archbishop Romero on Education

J.M.J.


ARCHBISHOP ROMERO ON EDUCATION


In general, education in our Latin American countries is directed toward the desire to have more, whereas today’s youth demand rather

to be more, to realize themselves through service and love.

Let us not develop an education that creates in the mind of the student a hope of becoming rich and having the power to dominate. That does not correspond to the times in which we live. Let us form in the heart of the child and the young person the lofty ideal of loving, of preparing oneself to serve and to give oneself to others. Anything else would be education for selfishness, and we want to escape the selfishness that is precisely the cause of the great malaise of our societies.

The Church must propose an education that makes people agents of their own development, protagonists of history, not a passive, compliant mass, but human beings able to display their intelligence, their creativity, their desire for the common service of the nation. Education must recognize that the development of the individual and of peoples is the “advancement of each and all from less-human to more-human conditions.” (Pope Paul VI, The Development of Peoples, n. 20)


-- Archbishop Oscar Romero

January 22, 1978

Thanks Brother John Samaha for sharing.

The Month of June - Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Picture Source

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus


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 to the Father....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

Prayer Source EWTN

Angelus is essence of prayer

Painting The Angelus by Jean-François Millet

Thanks to Ed for sharing this wonderful article on one of my favorite Marian devotions.

The Angelus, the prayer once prayed daily at noon and supper throughout the Church, is the whole of Christian spiritual life in a nutshell, says Father John Randall.

"I love the Angelus because the Angelus takes us into the essence of prayer," Randall said May 1 at a conference sponsored by Catholic Renewal Services.

The plan of the Angelus is simple, he said. It consists of three short prayers, each followed by a Hail Mary to meditate on the meaning of that prayer.

First, we pray that the angel came to Mary and told her of God's plan. Second, Mary surrenders to that plan. Third, we learn that the plan was successful - the Word has become flesh.

The Angelus is a prayer of the incarnation and the incarnation continues to the end of the world, Randall said. "It goes on in your life."

Every day, if you hear God's plan and you agree to it, "God's plan is going to take place in your life that day."
The Angelus

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary . . .

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary . . .

The Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.