Year of Mercy Holy Door - Hawaii

Bishop Larry Silva opened the Door of Mercy on December 13th, 2015.  He has designated the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace as a church with a door of mercy where the faithful can enter and gain plenary indulgence.  He also designated other churches in the neighboring islands with this honor.

The usual conditions for plenary indulgences apply.

One may enter these holy doors in order to gain plenary indulgence, once a day.

Book Review - Seven Saints for Seven Virtues

Seven Saints for Seven Virtues is well-known Catholic blogger Jean M. Heimann's new book.

Jean knows her saints. On her blog she writes about their lives, especially on their feast days.  She just doesn't share about well-known saints but she also writes about the lesser known ones.  It was inevitable that she would write a book about some of our heavenly friends.

With all the endless saints the Catholic church has canonized, it must have been a very difficult task to narrow the choices down to seven. It is clear the selection was inspired by the Holy Spirit because they were perfectly suited for their virtuous example.

Jean has a very comprehensive style of writing and she is quite a story teller.  The reader will find themselves engrossed from the very beginning with each chapter.  First we learn about the saint's life.  We then learn about the virtue attributed to that particular saint.  Jean makes each story interesting because she shares personal stories along with the lessons for the seven virtues.

I found myself taking notes as I read for future reference and to share excerpts with others.  I particularly liked the way she explains certain topics such as the deadly sin of sloth, with the definition given by holy people such as Archbishop Fulton Sheen or Father John Hardon.

I think that a reader will benefit greatly from reading this lovely little book.  In our journey to seek holiness we need more books like Seven Saints for Seven Virtues.

Mahalo nui loa, Jean!

Reminder - Epiphany Blessing for the Home - 2016

"Adoration of the Three Kings" by Girolamo da Santacroce 

Picture source

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany.  Traditionally, the Church celebrated it on January 3rd.

The following is the blessing for the home.

Epiphany Blessing of the Home & Household - 2016

The traditional date of Epiphany is January 3, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday
after Christmas, between January 2 and January 8. The whole of the Christmas season, especially on
the feast of the Epiphany, is a traditional time to bless homes, including passageways and doorways.

Often related to these blessings is a ritual of “chalking” the doors of the home with the numbers of the year separated by the initials, CMB. The letters traditionally refer to the legendary names of the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar (Scripture neither names them nor says there were three of them). Another tradition refers to it as the abbreviation of the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem
benedicat, translated as “May Christ bless this house.”

Here is one form of an Epiphany House Blessing:
V. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
A. Amen
V. Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.
A. Blessed be God forever.

V. A reading from the holy gospel according to St. John
A. Glory to You, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be….. And
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only
Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3.14)
A. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, each room of the home is sprinkled with holy water. The
year and initials of the Magi are inscribed above the doors with the blessed chalk (Casper, Melchior
and Balthasar with the first two numerals of the year preceding the C and the last two numerals of the
year placed after the B).

20 + C + M + B + 16

As you inscribe the initials say: “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means “May Christ bless this house”.)

V. Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

A. Amen.

Dec. 31 plenary indulgence pray the TE DEUM

Thanks again to Mary Jane!

December 31 - pray the TE DEUM

public recitation on the last day of the year as an act of thanksgiving may earn a plenary indulgence 

 

1. What is a Plenary Indulgence?

    A Plenary Indulgence is the full remission of temporal punishment
    due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the Catholic Church after
the sinner has confessed and received absolution. Indulgences draw on the Treasury of Merit
accumulated by Christ's superabundantly meritorious sacrifice on the cross and the virtues and
penances of the saints. They are granted for specific good works and prayers.

 

2. Who Can Gain A Plenary Indulgence?

To be capable of gaining an indulgence for oneself, it is
required that one be baptized, not excommunicated, in the state of grace at least at the completion of
the prescribed works, and a subject of the one granting the indulgence.

3. Who Can I get a Plenary Indulgence for?

You can gain a Plenary Indulgence for yourself or for a
deceased person (or a holy soul in purgatory) But not for another living person, they have to get it for themselves. 

 

Here are the usual conditions for obtaining one:

1. Receive Holy Communion on Dec, 31

2. Go to Confession (within 8 Days)

3. Have no attachment to sin.
4. Pray for the Intentions of the Pope one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be

 Te Deum - in English and Latin (below) 

 

O God, we praise Thee, and acknowledge
Thee to be the supreme Lord.
Everlasting Father, all the earth worships Thee.
All the Angels, the heavens and all angelic powers,
All the Cherubim and Seraphim, continuously cry to Thee:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
The glorious choir of the Apostles,
The wonderful company of Prophets,
The white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Holy Church throughout the world acknowledges Thee:
The Father of infinite Majesty;
Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Also the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When Thou tookest it upon Thyself to deliver man,
Thou didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Having overcome the sting of death, Thou opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sitest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
We believe that Thou willst come to be our Judge.
We, therefore, beg Thee to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Let them be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.

V.  Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance!
R.  Govern them, and raise them up forever.

V.  Every day we thank Thee.
R.  And we praise Thy Name forever, yes, forever and ever.

V.  O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.
R.  Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

V.  Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R.  O Lord, in Thee I have put my trust; let me never be put to shame.
 

Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi caeli et universae Potestates;
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.

V.  Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
R.  Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.

V.  Per singulos dies benedicimus te.
R.  Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.

V.  Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
R.  Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.

V.  Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
R.  In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.
 

Jan. 1 Veni Creator Spiritus – plenary indulgence if recited publicly

A big thanks to Mary Jane!

Veni Creator Spiritus – plenary indulgence can be obtained for Jan. 1 if recited publicly - print out & bring to Mass - recite with fellow parishioners and/or family  (Latin and English below)

  

 

1. What is a Plenary Indulgence?

    A Plenary Indulgence is the full remission of temporal punishment
    due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the Catholic Church after
the sinner has confessed and received absolution. Indulgences draw on the Treasury of Merit
accumulated by Christ's superabundantly meritorious sacrifice on the cross and the virtues and
penances of the saints. They are granted for specific good works and prayers.

 

2. Who Can Gain A Plenary Indulgence?

To be capable of gaining an indulgence for oneself, it is
required that one be baptized, not excommunicated, in the state of grace at least at the completion of
the prescribed works, and a subject of the one granting the indulgence.

 

3. Who Can I get a Plenary Indulgence for?

You can gain a Plenary Indulgence for yourself or for a
deceased person (or a holy soul in purgatory) But not for another living person, they have to get it for themselves. 

 

Here are the usual conditions for obtaining one:

1. Receive Holy Communion on January 1

2. Go to Confession (within 8 Days)

3. Have no attachment to sin.
4. Pray for the Intentions of the Pope one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be

 

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

 

O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

 

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

 

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

 

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

 

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

 

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
---------------------------------------------------
Veni, Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.

 

Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissima donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.

 

Tu, septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.

 

Accende lumen sensibus:
infunde amorem cordibus:
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.

 

Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque dones protinus:
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

 

Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium;
Teque utrisque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

 

Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio, qui a mortuis
surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.
 

"My Merry Christmas Song" - Merry Christmas Mary

A big mahalo nui loa to Father Khanh who told us about this beautiful song by Johnny Cash, this morning at the Misa de Gallo.


Merry Christmas Mary,
thank you for the Child.
Thank you for Lord Jesus.
Thank you for the Child.
Christmas time is here again,
peace on Earth good will to men.
The air is filled with joyful sounds,
merry wishing all around.
Giving and receiving gifts,
stopping by to thank all of our friends.
And we thank you Mary,
for helping give God's greatest gift to man.
Merry Christmas Mary.
Thank you for the Child.
Thgank you for Lord Jesus.
Thank you for the Child.
Merry Christmas Mary,
to often we forget.
To thank you for your part in giving the greatest Christmas present yet.
Merry Christmas Mary.

Year of Mercy Reflections

Click for better viewing.

Spiritual Guidance from Saint John of the Cross

Picture source

The following is from Magnifcat's Meditation of the day.  It will be shared in a list form for easy reference.   If we read this every day it will remind us how we can actually become holy.

- "Do not commit a mortal sin for all there is in the world, or any deliberate venial sin, or any known imperfection.

- Endeavor to remain always in the presence of God, either real, imaginative, or unitive insofar as is permitted by your works.

- Do nothing nor say any notable word that Christ would not have done or said were He in the state I am, as old as I, and with the same kind of health.

- Strive for the greater honor and glory of God in all things.

-  Do not omit mental prayer for any occupation, for it is the sustenance of your soul.

-  Do not not omit examination of conscience because of any of your occupations.

-  For any fault do some penance.

-  Be deeply sorry for any time that is lost or that passes without your loving God.

-  In all things, both high and low, let God be your goal, for in no other way will you grow in merit and perfection.

-  Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason.  God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.

-  In heaven and on earth, always take the lowest and the last place and office.

-  Never interfere in what you are not ordered to do, nor be obstinate about anything, even though you may be right.

-  And if, as the saying goes, they give you an inch, do not take a mile.  Some deceive themselves in such matters and think they have an obligation of doing that which, if they reflect upon it well, in no way obliges them.

- Pay no attention to the affairs of others, whether they be good or bad, for besides the danger of sin, this is a cause of distractions and the lack of spirit.

-  Strive always to confess your sins with a deep knowledge of your own wretchedness and with clarity and purity."

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Picture source

Pope Francis opened wide the doors to usher in the Year of Mercy.

Jesus told Saint Faustina:

 "My heart is a sea of Mercy.  All who glorify and spread my Mercy will not have terror at the hour of death.  I will defend them as My own glory.  Every soul that says this Chaplet or when others say it for a dying person, the pardon is the same. My Mercy will shield them from My Just Hands.  If sinners run away from my Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands..."

Pope Francis is calling us to do  these corporal and spiritual acts or mercy regularly during this great Jubilee Year. Our holy father is giving Catholics, and non-Catholics too, an opportunity to become more compassionate towards one another but especially towards those in need.

THE ACTS OF MERCY

CORPORAL ACTS:

To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To give shelter to the homeless;
To visit the sick;
To ransom the captive;
To bury the dead.

SPIRITUAL ACTS:
To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offenses willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead

Remember that charity begins at home.  If we don't have love and compassion or show mercy to those in our own family, how can we be expected to show compassion and mercy to strangers?

Militia Immaculata's Daily Renewal of Total Consecration

Picture source:  Pinterest

Immaculata,

Queen and Mother of the Church,

I renew my consecration to you this day

and for always,

so that you may use me for the 

coming of the Kingdom of Jesus

in the whole world.

To this end I offer you all my prayers,

actions, and sacrifices of this day.

DAILY MIRACULOUS MEDAL PRAYER OF ST. MAXIMILIAN

O Mary, conceived without sin,

pray for us who

have recourse to you,

and for all those who do not have recourse to you,

especially the enemies of Holy Church

and all those recommended to you.

WHY TOTAL CONSECRATION:

As the Son of God entrusted Himself to the womb of the Virgin Mary to come into the world,

so we imitate Jesus and entrust ourselves to the Immaculate Virgin Mary on our journey to heave, for personal sanctification and the conversion of the world to Christ.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE MILITIA IMMACULATE?

The Militia of the Immaculate (MI) is a world-wide ecclesial movement founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1917.  The MI has the full approval of the Vatican and canonical statues, and is dedicated to bringing the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through consecration to the Immaculate Virgin Mary.

www.consecration.com Marytown