When You Need to Speak to Your Pastor...

on a difficult subject, i.e. a perceived liturgical abuse, the following is a must read.

Hat...er Biretta Tip to Father Daren

Over at Adam's Ale, a new blog for me...Fr. V. gives us a lesson on how to broach a difficult subject with our church leaders.

The Express Novena

Picture source, Two Hearts Design

Thanks Sue!

Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, Yonkers, NY, a close associate of Father
Benedict Groeschel, CFR, recounts a meeting he had with Mother
Teresa. Father Andrew has given retreats for the Contemplative
Missionaries of Charity in the South Bronx.

Mother Teresa, at the time of their meeting, handed Father Andrew a Rosary, commenting: "The Blessed Mother is all over the world bringing people to her Son." She went on to tell Father Andrew this story.

"Whenever I need a special favor, I do an Express Novena. An Express Novena is 9 Memorares in a row. In 1983, one of our Superior sisters had gotten sick in Eastern Berlin. Mother Teresa had to appoint a replacement that could handle the Communist government. The sister that they appointed as the successor for the Eastern Berlin home needed a Visa. Mother Teresa gathered her nuns and started praying the Express Novena (9 Memorares). On the 8th Memorare, the phone rang. It was a Communist official stating that it would be six months until they would receive the Visa. After the 9th Memorare, Mother Teresa started the novena again. On the 8th Memorare the second time, the telephone rang. It was a Communist official who stated you will have your Visa immediately"

So great was Mother Teresa's love for God that she stated to Fr. Andrew: "I never refused God anything."

First Saturday Mass and Devotions

We were back at St. Stephen's Church for First Saturday Mass. Fr. John heard Confessions prior to Mass yesterday and today. The Mass was dedicated to our Blessed Mother. Afterwards, there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a Holy Hour. During this Holy Hour, Father John led us in entire Rosary. That means, we prayed all 20 Mysteries of the Rosary. We alternated with English and Spanish.

Following the completion of the Holy Rosary recitation, we prayed the Litany of Loreto. The Holy Hour was completed with Benediction. After Father left the altar, the Hispanic women led in the singing of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Madre de Dios... So beautiful!

To learn more about the First Saturday Devotion, please visit Catholic Tradition However, please use caution as this site links refers to the Fatima Crusader.

St. Josemaria Escriva' - Priests

The following are quotes by St. Josemaria Escriva' from The Way .

"A priest-whoever he may be-is always another Christ".

"Though you know it well, I want to remind you again that a Priest is 'another Christ', and that the Holy Spirit has said 'Nolite tangere Christos meos' - Do not touch my Christs".

"Presbyter-priest-etymologically means an elderly man. If old age deserves a reverence think how much more you ought to revere a priest".

"I insist, those tricks or jokes about a priest, in spite of what may seem to you to be attenuating circumstances, always are at least vulgar, a lack of good manners".

"How we should admire purity in the priesthood! It is a treasure. No tyrant will ever be able to wrest this crown from he Church".

"Don't ever make a priest run the risk of losing his dignity. It is a virtue which, without pompousness, he simply must have..."

"To love God and not to revere the priest...This is not possible".

"Like the good sons of Noah, cover the weaknesses you may see in your father, the priest, with a cloak of charity".

Message of Akita - The Rosary and The 5 First Saturdays Devotion

"Many men in this world afflict the Lord. Our Lady awaits souls to console Him. Remain in poverty, sanctify yourself and pray in reparation for the ingratitudes and the outrages of so many men. The Rosary is your weapon. Say it with care and more often for the intention of the Pope, of bishops and priests"...

..."Attach great importance to this day (first Saturday) for the glory of God and of His Holy Mother. With courage, spread this devotion among the greatest number..."

Message told to Sr. Agnes. From the Meaning of Akita by John M. Haffert

Feast of the Visitation

Picture source, All Posters

Reflection: A baby in one mother's womb immediately recognized God's son in the Blessed Mother's womb. Why is it that there are many who fail to recognize that there is a living, breathing, human being in a mother's womb and not just a blob of tissue.

The Magnifcat in both English and Latin. Source: Women for Faith and Family

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Scripture text: Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition

Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum,
et exsultávit spíritus meus
in Deo salvatóre meo,
quia respéxit humilitátem
ancíllæ suæ.

Ecce enim ex hoc beátam
me dicent omnes generatiónes,
quia fecit mihi magna,
qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericórdia eius in progénies
et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo,
dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui;
depósuit poténtes de sede
et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis
et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum,
recordátus misericórdiæ,
sicut locútus est ad patres nostros,
Ábraham et sémini eius in sæcula.

Glória Patri et Fílio
et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio,
et nunc et semper,
et in sæcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Prayer of St. Gertrude to Our Lady of Humility

Painting of Our Lady of Humility by Fra Angelico.

Most chaste Virgin Mary, by the spotless purity with which you prepared for the Son of God a dwelling of delight in your virginal womb, I beg of you to intercede for me that I may be cleansed from every stain. Most humble Virgin Mary, by that most profound humility by which you deserved to be raised high above all the choirs of angels and saints, I beg of you to intercede for me that all my sins
may be expiated. Most amiable Mary, by that indescribable love that united you so closely and inseparably to God, I beg of you to intercede for me that I may obtain an abundance of all merits. Amen.

St. Gertrude of Helfta, Saxony (1256-1301)

Thanks Sue!

Saintly Quote - Prayer

"Do not stop praying as long as, by God's grace, the fire and the water (fervor and tears) have not been exhausted, for it may happen that never again in your whole life will you have such a chance to ask for the forgiveness of your sins."

Saint John Climacus

Thanks Sue!

A Message From Akita

"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, and bishops against other bishops. The priests who venerate Me will be scorned and opposed by their conferees (other priests). Churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The though of the loss of so many souls ins the cause of My sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them..."

From The Meaning of Akita by John M. Haffert.
Messages approved by the Church.

Morning Offering

Picture source, this Site

O Jesus! Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee my prayers, works, and sufferings of this day fro all the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart, in union with the holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular, for the intention recommended this month by the Holy Father.

I wish to gain all the indulgences attached to the prayers I shall say and to the good works I shall perform this day.

Prayer for Our Deceased Servicemen

As we commemorate the sacrifice of our military on this Memorial Day, let's remember to offer a prayer for those who have offered the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for our freedom.

Thou art all-powerful, O God, and livest forever in light and joy. Look with pity and love, we beseech Thee, upon those men and women who have bravely fought and gallantly died for our country. By laying down their lives, they have showed supreme love for others. We implore Thee to accept their sacrifice and their belief in the justice of the cause for which they died.

May their offering not be in vain.

Deign to forgive any sins or misdeeds they may have committed. Bring them quickly, we implore Thee, into Thine august presence, where fear, sadness, mourning and eath no longer exist. Have pity, in Thy living kindness, on those they leave behind. In Thine own inscrutable ways, make good their absence, and lavishly bestow Thy love and consolations upon those deprived of their presence.

This we ask of Thee in the name of Jesus Christ, Our King.

Amen.

From Purgatory by Fr. F. X. Schouppe, S.J. and published by Tan Books

The Feast of Pentecost

Picture source Mary Your Mother

The following is from St. Michael's Center for the Blessed Virgin Mary Please visit their site for prayers, novenas, etc. to the Holy Spirit.

The Catholic community honors the Pentecost Sunday on May 27. This is one of the greatest feast of Christianity which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Disciples; the completion of the work of redemption; the fullness of grace for the Church and its children; and the gifts of faith for all nations. It is celebrated fifty days after the resurrection of Christ.

The descent upon the apostles was internal and invisible in nature although accompanied by certain visible phenomena. There came a mighty roar, like the onrush of a violent wind. It came suddenly, from heaven; but unlike storms that strike a structure from without, this one penetrated and filled the room where the disciples were gathered. Therefore it was not a natural wind, it was a miracle peculiar to the occasion. A second visible sign consisted in tongues of fire that descended upon each one present. These fiery tongues gave visible evidence that the Holy Spirit had descended upon them.

The celebration of Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the reality that we are all God-breathed with the unifying Spirit that was poured out upon the First Church. It is a reminder that we are co-heirs with Christ, to suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him; that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good; that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body and the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead lives inside believers. This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all on the first Pentecost is promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call.

All The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Thanks Sue!

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to anyhuman being.
Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace,or to accept a lofty vocation,God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed
to fulfill the task at hand.

Saint Bernardine of Siena (from a sermon on Saint Joseph)

Pentecost Sunday

H/T to the Generator Blog