First Saturday Devotion

The Child Jesus spoke these words: "Have pity on the heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with thorns, with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation."

Our Lady was holding a heart encircled with sharp thorns and then She said to Sister Lucia:

"Behold my heart surrounded with the thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude.

You at least try to console me. Announce in my name that I promise to help at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever on the First Saturday of five consecutive months shall:

1 confess and receive Holy Communion;

2 recite five decades of the Rosary;

3 and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

Why Five Saturdays?

Christians have always honoured the Blessed Virgin on Saturday because of her constant faith in Jesus on that first Holy Saturday before the Resurrection.

Five first Saturdays of reparation were requested to atone for the five ways in which people offend the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1.attacks upon Mary's Immaculate Conception
2.attacks against her Perpetual Virginity
3.attacks upon her Divine Maternity and the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all mankind
4.for those who try to publicly implant in children's hearts indifference, contempt and even hatred of this Immaculate Mother
5.for those who insult her directly in her sacred images.

From the Work of God

Shared by Sue of Half the Kingdom

All Your Mass(es) Belong to Us

Now I know where Joey got the phrase!

H/T to Sci Fi Catholic



Just watch it!

Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Picture has been changed because an observant reader questioned whether the previous picture was indeed Mother Seton or Mother Cabrini. After closely looking at it, I think she was right...it was Mother Cabrini. Mahalo Patm!

Fr. Paul gave a wonderful little homily on Mother Seton today at Mass. He talked about how she was an Episcopalian who converted to Catholicism mostly due to the good influence of her Italian friends in Italy...her love of the Eucharist...that she was a wife...mother of 5 children...then widow....how she started an order, the Sisters of Charity...and how she is also known as an educator because she started the parochial Catholic school system in the United States, and how she is the first American born saint.

But what captured my attention most of all is when he told us that she was at George Washington's Inauguration and how she even danced with President Washington at the Inaugural ball!

Fr. Paul is also from New Jersey which explains his admiration for this particular saint, who is very big on the East Coast... She hails from New York after all. He mentioned that Seton Hall University in South Orange is named for her. He also mentioned that the Sisters of Charity are still in New Jersey. In fact, the mother house is in Convent Station. A very beautiful place to visit if you have a chance. Our dear friend and my sisters' 6th grade teacher Sr. Lucy Mary Sullivan resides there.

And to all you families with children in parochial schools or who use the Seton Home Study Curriculum for homeschooling...HAPPY FEAST DAY!

Chesterton - Listen To and See Him

H/T to Carl Olsen of Ignatius Insight Scoop

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God,
R. Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, Son of the living God, R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, [etc.]
Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
Jesus, King of glory.
Jesus, sun of justice.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
Jesus, most amiable.
Jesus, most admirable.
Jesus, the mighty God.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
Jesus, most powerful.
Jesus, most patient.
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
Jesus, lover of us.
Jesus, God of peace.
Jesus, author of life.
Jesus, example of virtues.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
Jesus, our God.
Jesus, our refuge.
Jesus, father of the poor.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
Jesus, true light.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.
Jesus, infinite goodness.
Jesus, our way and our life.
Jesus, joy of Angels.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles.
Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.
Jesus, strength of Martyrs.
Jesus, light of Confessors.
Jesus, purity of Virgins.
Jesus, crown of Saints.

V. Be merciful, R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful, R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. From all evil, R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Your wrath, [etc.]
From the snares of the devil.
From the spirit of fornication.
From everlasting death.
From the neglect of Your inspirations.
By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.
By Your Nativity.
By Your Infancy.
By Your most divine Life.
By Your labors.
By Your agony and passion.
By Your cross and dereliction.
By Your sufferings.
By Your death and burial.
By Your Resurrection.
By Your Ascension.
By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.
By Your joys.
By Your glory.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.
V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you." Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You.

Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love. R. Amen.

The Holy Name of Jesus

This was also shared by Sue

The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is associated with the Feast of the Circumcision. In accordance with Jewish culture of the days when Jesus dwelled on earth, a child became a full member of his family when he was circumcised, at which time He received His name.

The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was officially granted to the Franciscans on February 25, 1530. From there, it spread over a great part of the Church. The Franciscans, the Carmelites, and the Augustinians kept this Feast on January 14th. the Dominicans on January 15. Around 1643, the Carthusians obtained permission to celebrate this Feast on the second Sunday after Epiphany. Before long, this date was extended to Spain. About eighty years later, on December 20, 1721, the celebration of the Feast on the second Sunday after Epiphany was extended to the Universal Church.

On the Most Holy Name of Jesus,
Saint Bernard:
"The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affections. All spiritual food leaves the soul dry, if it contain not that penetrating oil, the Name Jesus. When you take your pen, write the Name Jesus: if you write books, let the Name of Jesus be contained in them, else they will possess no charm or attraction for me; you may speak, or you may reply, but if the Name of Jesus sounds not from your lips, you are without unction and without charm. Jesus is honey in our mouth, light in our eyes, a flame in our heart. This name is the cure for all diseases of the soul. Are you troubled? think but of Jesus, speak but the Name of Jesus, the clouds disperse, and peace descends anew from heaven. Have you fallen into sin? so that you fear death? invoke the Name of Jesus, and you will soon feel life returning. No obduracy of the soul, no weakness, no coldness of heart can resist this holy Name; there is no heart which will not soften and open in tears at this holy name. Are you surrounded by sorrow and danger? invoke the Name of Jesus, and your fears will vanish."

"Never yet was human being in urgent need, and on the point of perishing, who invoked this help-giving Name, and was not powerfully sustained. It was given us for the cure of all our ills; to soften the impetuosity of anger, to quench the fire of concupiscence, to conquer pride, to mitigate the pain of our wounds, to overcome the thirst of avarice, to quiet sensual passions, and the desires of low pleasures. If we call to our minds the Name of Jesus, it brings before us His most meek and humble heart, and gives us a new knowledge of His most loving and tender compassion. The Name of Jesus is the purest, and holiest, the noblest and most indulgent of names, the Name of all blessings and of all virtues; it is the Name of the God-Man, of sanctity itself. To think of Jesus is to think of the great, infinite God Who, having given us His life as an example, has also bestowed the necessary understanding, energy and assistance to enable us to follow and imitate Him, in our thoughts, inclinations, words and actions. If the Name of Jesus reaches the depths of our heart, it leaves heavenly virtue there. We say, therefore, with our great master, St. Paul the Apostle, 'If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema.'"

Optional Memorial - The Holy Name of JESUS

Shared by Sue of Half the Kingdom

Jesus

The Name of JESUS is the shortest,the easiest, and the most powerful of prayers.

Everyone can say it, even in the midst of daily work.

Our Lord Himself has solemnly promised

that whatever we ask the Father in His Name we shall receive

(provided, of course, that it be for His glory and the good of our soul).

Each time we pronounce the holy Name of JESUS

with reverence and love, and with proper intention,

we give great glory to God and obtain for ourselves priceless graces.

Each time we say JESUS, we may, in desire :

Make an act of perfect love, offering to God all the infinite love of His Divine Son as if it were our own.

Offer the Passion and Death of Our Lord to the Eternal Father for His greater glory and our own intentions.

Offer to God all the infinite merits and perfections of Jesus.

Offer all the Holy Masses said each day throughout the world, for the glory of God and the good of our own and others' souls.

Each time we say JESUS,

we increase in our souls the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Our faith becomes more lively, our confidence in God greater,

and our love more intense.

The holy Name of JESUS saves us from innumerable evils and dangers,

helps us to overcome temptations, and delivers us from the power of the devil, who is constantly seeking to do us harm.

The holy Name of JESUS fills our souls with peace and joy,

and gives us strength to bear our trials and sufferings

with patience and resignation.

Each time we say JESUS,

we can gain an indulgence of 300 days, which we may apply to the souls in purgatory, thus relieving and liberating many of them from their awful pains, and gaining for ourselves friends who will pray for us with incredible fervor.

We ought, therefore, to try to acquire the habit of saying

JESUS , JESUS , JESUS ,

very often every day, with fervent love and devotion

-when dressing, when working

-no matter what we are doing,

in moments of sadness and in moments of joy,

at home, in company, on the street,

when walking, riding, or waiting.

We can say it countless times every day, and thus gain untold graces and blessings for ourselves and for the whole world.

Nothing is easier, if only we do it with all our heart.

The frequent repetition of the Name of Jesus far from tiring.

It gives us joy, a peace, a happiness we never had before.

We can say it for example:

When working-no matter what we may be doing- we can go on saying Jesus at home, in the streets, walking or driving in cars. in trains, everywhere.

When ladies go shopping. when men go and return from their work, when workers are toiling all the day long, they can easily get into the habit of repeating Jesus. No effort is required, all we have to do is to let this blessed Name flow from our hearts and lips.

The one thing that we have to do is to form the habit of constantly saying Jesus. In the beginning we must give It care and attention in order to acquire the custom of saying it.

Then we shall have an immense treasure in our hands for the rest of our lives.

Visits From the Holy Souls

The January and February Issue of The Friends of the Holy Souls Newsletter has been posted. Mary Ann shares intriguing stories by a friend "John" regarding visits from Souls in Purgatory.

Also remember that the best thing you can do for your family members who have died, is to pray for the repose of their souls and to have Masses said often for this intention. If they are already in Heaven, then I believe that the Masses will be applied to the souls in purgatory that are in need of them. The Masses and prayers will not go to waste.

I've mentioned this before but I can't stress it enough...it is better to have Masses said for us now than after we are dead. Why not consider offering Masses for your loved ones, friends, and/or yourself as a gift for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. If you need help with the Masses, you can check out Mary Ann's blog as she has priests who offer Masses for people.

A Liturgical Biography of Jesus

Father Stephanos has posted a Liturgical Biography of Jesus which is a good resource and reference to have. Mahalo Father!

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Today St. Elizabeth of Hungary officially takes over as my patron saint. So long for now St. Michael the Archangel. You have been a good patron saint for the year and I will miss you.

I am a little familiar with this saint because she was the patroness of my sister's old convent, The Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth. But I want to learn more so it is my goal to read more about her and I will share it here.

The following is from The Book of Saints: A Dictionary of Persons Canonized or Beatified by the Catholic Church, complied by the Benedictine Monks of St. Augsutine's Abbey, Ramsgate, 1966, Nihil Obstat Francisuc M. Mildner, O.S.M. and Imprimatur Patritius Casey.

Elisabeth of Hungaray (St.) Queen, Tert. OFM. RM. Nov 19

1207-1231
Born at Presburg, the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and a niece of St. Hedwig. At the age of fourteen she was married to Louis IV, landgrave of Thuringia, and bore him three children. Hers was a very happy married life until 1227 when her husband went to the crusade and died at Otranto. She now became a Franciscan tertiary and devoted herself to the relief of the destitute, living a life of voluntary poverty until death at twenty-four.
She was canonized three years later (1235).

I am glad she is a Franciscan. I have a deep love for St. Francis and the Capuchins.

Happy New Year - Solemnity Mary, the Mother of God

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou Everyone!

Even though it is not a Holy Obligation in Hawaii, I know there will be many people at all our Masses to tomorrow in honor of our Blessed Mother.

We fly to thy patronage,
O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

from this Site

Saintly Quote

Only a few hours more, and this year too will come to an end and pass into history. I too finish the year and await the new dawn of joy. I go down on my knees before my God and, recalling His kindnesses to me this year, I humble myself in the dust and thank Him with all my heart.

Blessed Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

Thank you Sue for sharing it.

Mary, the Mother of God

Before this Solemnity is over, I wanted to share with you what Brother John, a Marianist brother, shared with me:

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and Octave of Christmas

May we always profit from the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary.
May her prayer, the gift of a mother's love, be our joy throughout this new year.

We proclaim the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church.

* * *

The birth of Christ is the source of life for the Christian people, and the birthday of the head is the birthday of the body.

--Pope St. Leo the Great

That's the Way to Honor Our Lady on Her Solemnity!

..and the entire Holy Family... I would post it here but it looks so much more dramatic over at Fr. Daren's Mahalo Father!

New Year's Resolutions

I've been thinking a lot about my New Year's resolutions. Mostly, they involve spiritual improvements. It really helps when you examine your conscience nightly to see the areas where improvements can be made. I was tempted to ask my family members and very close friends to let me know what about me bothers or irritates them so I can improve that way. But I think I would only be looking for trouble if I did that.

The best thing I can do is to practice dying to self, and with that hopefully will come humility. I hope that I will not impose my will on others but do God's Will instead, in everything.

The other day for example many little things occurred, one after another, where I was either humiliated, or wrongly judged. Usually, this would bother me beyond belief but by the grace of God, this time I remembered to offer it up and unite it with Jesus' sufferings. What a difference that made! With this new year, I hope to be able to practice more and more humility.

It will take a lot of practice but my resolutions are:

1. To be more patient. To look at the crucifix and focus on Jesus' patience when I am about to lose my patience. This was the advice of two good priests in Hawaii.

2. To not take things others may say or do, personally or jump to conclusions. In order to not do that, I have to learn not to judge anyone because I do not know what's in their heart. This is advice from another good priest in Hawaii.

3. I will live for the day as if it were my last day on earth. By doing so I will try to avoid offending God by sinning in even the slightest way.

4. To be silent more often like our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. To not engage in frivolous conversations or God forbid, gossip.

Reading the Imitation of Christ helped me with numbers 3 and 4.

5. To follow the example of our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph in their parenting ways...loving their child with a quiet and dignified manner.

6. To pray the Litany of Humility daily...especially the following:

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

8. To be patient and kind to the members of my family as I am with those outside my family.

9. To read more books that will help me grow spiritually.

10. To knit more :-)

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

New Year Indulgences

The following is from A Catholic Life. So nice to have Seminarian Matthew posting again.

December 31 Indulgence: A PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted when the Te Deum is recited publicly on the last day of the year. Otherwise a partial indulgence is granted to those who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving.

Te Deum

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.

January 1 Indulgence: A PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted when the Veni, Creator Spiritus is recited on the first of January or Pentecost.

From EWTN

Come, Holy Ghost

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest,
Vouchsafe within our souls to rest;
Come with Thy grace and Heav'nly aid
And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

To Thee, the Comforter, we cry,
To Thee, the Gift of God Most High,
The Fount of life, the Fire of love,
The soul's Anointing from above.

The sev'nfold gifts of grace are Thine,
O Finger of the Hand Divine;
True Promise of the Father Thou,
Who dost the tongue with speech endow.

Thy light to evr'y thought impart,
And shed Thy love in evr'y heart;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

Drive far away our wily Foe
And Thine abiding peace bestow;
If Thou be our protecting Guide,
No evil can our steps betide.

Make Thou to us the Father known,
Teach us the eternal Son to own,
And Thee, whose name we ever bless,
Of both the Spirit, to confess.

Glory to Thee, Father and Son
And Holy Spirit, with them One;
And may the Son on us bestow
The gifts that from the Spirit flow!

From Adoremus

Feast Day of the Holy Family

Prayer for a Family

God of goodness and mercy,
to your fatherly protection we recommend our family,
our household, and all that belongs to us.
Fill our home with your blessings
as you filled the holy house of Nazareth
with your presence.
Keep us from sin.
Help each one of us to obey your holy laws,
to love you sincerely, and to imitate your example,
the example of Mary, your mother and ours,
and the example of your holy guardian, St. Joseph.

Lord, preserve us and our home
from all evils and misfortunes.
May we ever be resigned to your divine will
even in the crosses and sorrows
which you allow to come to us.
Finally, give all of us the grace to live in harmony and love toward our neighbor.
Grant that each of us may deserve by a holy life
the comfort of your Sacraments at the hour of death.

Bless this house,
God the Father, who created us,
God the Son, who suffered for us on the Cross,
and God the Holy Spirit, who sanctified us at Baptism..
May the one God in three divine Persons
preserve our bodies,
purify our minds,
direct our hearts,
and bring us all to everlasting life.

Amen.

From the New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing