Saturday, October 01, 2011

Feast of the Guardian Angels and Respect Life Sunday

This post is dedicated to my guardian angel, whom I often neglect and take for granted. Thank you Angel of God, my guardian dear, from the moment of my conception, for always keeping safe.


It seems providential that the Feast of the Guardian Angels falls on Respect Life Sunday. Let us pray that the Guardian Angels of all the preborn babies, protect these little ones and keep them safe in their mothers' womb. May the Guardian Angels protect the elderly people in their care, from disrespect and lack of charity shown them because they are now old. May the Guardian Angels of all disabled people, guard them and guide them as they deal with the daily struggles brought on because of their disabilities. And, may the guardian angels soften the hearts of those who fail to see the dignity of all these human beings, created in God's image.


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"See that you never despise any of the little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven." - Matthew 18:10


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by Filippo Tarchiani


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by Pietro Novelli
by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri

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by Giovanni Antonio

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by Francesco de Mura

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EWTN Bookmark - Pope Pius XII - Doug Keck with Sr Margherita.Marchione



She is a Filippini Sister and BIG defender of Pope Pius XII....because she tells the truth about him.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

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"...The thing that pleases Him is that I love my littleness and poverty and have a blind hope in His mercy..."


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"...in order to love Jesus and be His victim of love, the weaker we are and the more completely without desires or virtues, the more we shall be disposed to receive the benefits of His consuming and transforming love working within us.  It is enough to have the one desire of being a victim, provided we are content to remain always poor and powerless."


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"To consent to remain always poor and powerless, there lies the difficulty! Actually, where can we find one who is truly poor? Is not he alone truly poor who is so humble-minded that he believes himself to be nothing? Oh! let us then remain far away from all that is vain-glorious! Let us love our littleness, our lack of sensitivity. We shall then be poor in spirit and Jesus will come for us, however far we may be from Him, and will set us afire with His love. How I wish that I could make you understand what I feel...It is confidence and confidence alone that should lead us to Love."

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"...if we abandon ourselves, and place our confidence in God, while making every small effort and hoping everything from His mercy, we shall be rewarded as much as the greatest saints."

Prayer source

"I cannot lean on anything, nor can I count on anything I have done to build up my confidence in God. But the consciousness of my poverty has served as a true light for me. I knew that I had never been able, during my life, to pay any of the debts I owed to God but that I could make of that very knowledge a source of spiritual wealth and power. Than I made this prayer: 'O my God, pay the debt yourself, but do it in a way that only God can do, so that it may be infinitely better than if I myself had fulled my obligations." And I recalled with great consolation these words of the Canticle of St. John of the Cross: 'Pay my debts'...So great a favor could never be rapid by men, but our very incapacity fills our soul with peace, for we know how completely we depend on God alone."

The quotations above were written by St. Therese. Source: Complete Spiritual Doctrine of St. Therese of Lisieux by Rev. Francois Jamart, O.C.D.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Our Lady of the Rosary Novena Started Yesterday

Sorry I am late in posting this!


As we approach October, the month of the Holy Rosary, and the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Oct. 7, there’s a grassroots effort via the Web to remember the origin of the feast and win our country back to Jesus.
The Lepanto Victory Mission Rosary novena wants to enlist people in all 50 states to unite to pray a Rosary for the U.S. during one or more of the 216 hours making up the round-the-clock, nine-day novena leading up to the feast. The intention is “peace and victory of God for our country.”

The Rosary novena begins first thing Sept. 29, the feast of the Archangels, and goes continuously until the end of Oct. 7.

Read more: here

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Former N.O. Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, confidante of JFK, defender of unborn, dies at 98


Retired New Orleans Archbishop Philip Matthew Hannan, a WWII paratroop chaplain who befriended and secretly counseled John F. Kennedy during and after his historic march to the White House as the first U.S. Catholic president, died Thursday, Sept. 29, at 3 a.m. at the age of 98.
Read the rest of the obituary here

Source: Father Kenneth Allen. He has lots of links on the passing of Archbishop Hannan.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.  Amen.

H/T to Lisa Graas.

Feast of the Archangels Angels

St. Michael, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu

St. Michael is regarded traditionally as the chief of the archangels, a special protector against the attacks of Satan, and, in the East, a patron of the sick. He has two feasts in the Western church: that of May 8 commemorating his alleged appearance at Monte Gargano in Italy during the fifth century, and that of September 29, the anniversary of the dedication of a church of St. Michael on the Salarian Way in Rome during the sixth century.
The name Michael is a variation of Micah, meaning in Hebrew, "Who is like God?"

Prayer to St. Michael (long form) by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of his Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and Patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered, the root of David.
Let thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
As we have hoped in thee.
O Lord, hear my prayer.
And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon thy holy name, and as suppliants we implore thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel St. Michael, thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Prayer Source

Patron Saint of Police Officers and the Military.

St. Gabriel and the Annunciation

St. Gabriel is the Angel of the Annunciation. The Jewish people venerated Gabriel as the angel of judgment. Like that of Christian tradition, he is one of the seven archangels. Gabriel is also known in the Islamic religion as "the angel who served as the mouthpiece of God in dictating the Koran to their prophet". St. Gabriel appears in both the Old and New Testaments a few times. The final mention of him is found in Luke where he goes to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the tidings that she is to be the Mother of the Messiah. The Archangel Gabriel is the bearer of good tidings and comforter and helper of men. Christian tradition holds that Gabriel was the unnamed angel who appeared to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The name Gabriel means "Hero of God" in Hebrew.


Prayer to Saint Gabriel

Saint Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the Angel of the Incarnation, because God specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a very tender and devoted love for the Incarnate Word and his Blessed Mother more like your own. I venerate you also as the “Strength from God” because you are the giver of God’s strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God’s faithful and teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions; renew my courage; comfort and console me in the problems, trials and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in his agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you. Saint Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor: (mention your request). Through your earnest love for the Son of God made man and for his Blessed Mother I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God’s holy will.

Pray for us, Saint Gabriel the Archangel, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Prayer source




St. Raphael appears in the Old Testament in the Book of Tobit. He is the angel who accompanies Tobias on the journey and who heals Tobias' father from blindness. His name means "Healer of God".

Father Joe Whalen has a beautiful ministry. It is the St. Raphael Healing Oil Ministry. I am going to share the link with you here so that you can visit, read Father's story and about the ministry itself. There is also a good prayer for healing that I am posting here. It is supposed to be prayed when you use the St. Raphael's healing oil on a sick person.


On a personal note, I have used the healing oil on my family, friends and also sick pets. I have also shared them with friends. This is not magic nor is it New Age or superstition. This is just one of the ways the Church's sacramentals assist us in our needs when we put ALL our faith in Jesus, the Divine Physician.

Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God," I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (name it) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Jesus, Mary, I love You, Save Souls"


Sources: A Dictionary of Saints, compiled by Donald Attwater
Lives of Saints

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Urgent Prayer Request - Archbishop Philip Hannan


From Padre Steve

Retired Archbishop Philip Hannan, 98, appeared to be failing over the weekend, and the Archdiocese of New Orleans solicited prayers on his behalf. "Archbishop Hannan is not doing well, and his doctors are not optimistic. He is at Chateau de Notre Dame under a doctor's care,"Archbishop Gregory Aymond advised pastors in a brief email on Saturday.

Articles on Father Gordon MacRae


Thought I would share these with you before Father posts his new article tomorrow.

1. A Ram in the Thicket's Touch of Deja Vu: Case Against Rev. Gordon MacRae

Very interesting...

2. Mary's Father Gordon MacRae: Removing the Scales from Our Own Eyes

I hope that with Ryan and Mary...and also Karinann speaking out writing in Father's defense, Father will focus on the light at the end of his very dark tunnel.

3. Father Gordon's A Priest and His Wounds: Padre Pio Under Investigation.

This one tore at my heart when I read that Father was convicted on Padre Pio's feast day. God's ways are not our ways... Anyway, as usual, a very good read.

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers


In a recent post I shared something that I found in Mother's Love, the newsletter for the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers. I told a few blogger friends that I would tell you a little more about this marvelous archconfraternity for Catholic women.

First of all, this archconfraternity is a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscans, especially under the leadership of Father Angelus Shaughnessy, OFM Cap, the national executive director.

Ideally, a chapter should be started at the parish level with the permission of your own pastor. In my case, this could not done so the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers extended a special membership to me so that I could belong.

The following is the letter I received when I joined.

Dear Mrs. Gefroh:

"Your request for membership has been received and your name has been entered on the Register of the Archconfraternity. In the event a Confraternity is established in your parish at some future date, you may transfer to the local Confraternity. We are happy to send you the Certificate of Membership, the Christian Mother Medal and a Daily Prayer Card. Your medal is blessed.

As a Christian Mother there is one prayer that you are requested to pray every day. It is called your"Daily Prayer." By praying it you are helping yourself and all the other mothers who in turn are helping you.

Mothers have told me where they keep their Daily Prayer Card: above the sink, inside the cabinet door, pinned to the curtain, and even slipped into the corner of a mirror - good spots for seeing the prayer and for being reminded to pray it every day.

You will want to wear your medal at least once a month when you receive Holy Communion for all the mothers.

May our Blessed Mother direct you in guiding your children and getting them ready for Heaven.

Goid bless yo and your family.

Sincerely,
Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy, O.F.M.Cap.
National Executive Director


In case you are curious, I keep my daily prayer card in my Pieta prayer book so I can pray it along with my other daily prayers.

"Mothers rule the world. They guide the destinies of homes...That is why God is relying on mothersto keep Christ in the world by keeping Him in their hearts and homes.

THE OBJECT OF THE ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN MOTHERS


The Archconfratnerity of Christian Mothers has for its object the Christian home education of children by truly Christian Mothers. It plans to unite by the observance of its rules and regulations all Christian ladies, married or widowed, who are willing to assist one another to attain this noble purpose. Under the special patronage of the "Mother of Sorrows" the members are encouraged joyously and hopefully to undertake the important task of training and sanctifying the young souls entrusted to their care. They are schooled to edify one another by word and deed, to support one another by fervent prayers and thus become the mainstay of spiritual life within their own family, and a fruitful source of blessing to the community in which they live. This is the principal aim of all confraternities affiliated with the Archconfraternity.

THE VOCATION OF CHRISTIAN MOTHERS


The vocation of Christian Mothers together with their spouses is the formation of their children in the home according to the principles of Sacred Scripture and the consistent teaching of the Catholic Church. Any good practicing Catholic woman, married or widowed with or without children, may be admitted to the Archconfraternity, provided she seriously intents to promote the aims of the confraternity, especially that of the Christian home education of children. and to comply with its statutes.

For more information, contact:

Father Angelus Shaughnessy OFM Cap
National Executive Director
padre@fatherangelus.com
220-37th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-683-2400

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, feast is October 5 - start novena today


Shared by Mary Jane. In your kindness, please remember the repose of her brother Steve who recently passed away.

Divine Physician,
You infused Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
with the gift of Your healing.
By the help of his prayers,
sustain in me the grace to know Your will
and the strength to overcome my afflictions.
For love of You, make me whole.
May I learn from the example of Father Seelos
and gain comfort from his patient endurance.
Amen. (Mention your intentions here)



Litany of Blessed Francis Seelos:



Lord, have mercy on us!

Christ, have mercy on us!

Lord, have mercy on us!

Christ, hear us!

Christ, graciously hear us!

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us

Francis, pattern of cheerfulness, pray for us

Francis, lover of labors, pray for us

Francis, model of confessors, pray for us

Francis, gentle refuge of penitents, pray for us

Francis, example to seminarians, pray for us

Francis, master of poverty, pray for us

Francis, pillar of peacefulness, pray for us

Francis, comfort of the sick, pray for us

Francis, companion to the dying, pray for us

Francis, paragon of holiness, pray for us



LET US PRAY



O God, who made your priest, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption, and comfort those in affliction, grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.

For more information go to: Seelos Center