Saturday, October 27, 2012

Prayer for New Evangelization


Image from Pinterest

Mahalo to a friend for sharing the following prayer.


Gracious God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Source of life and holiness, You call us to faith and trust.
 
Renew within the Church the grace of Pentecost
that the Good News of Jesus Christ
may be proclaimed with wisdom, courage, understanding,
right judgment, piety, wonder, and awe.
 
Through Word and Sacrament open our hearts to Your
grace.
Anoint us with your Holy Spirit for the mission of service,
justice, and peace that You may be known and loved by all.
 
In your loving mercy gather
the human family into communion with
the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
 
Blessed Virgin Mary,
Star of the New Evangelization,
intercede for us now and teach us
how to proclaim Jesus Christ,
the Way,
the Truth,
and Life Eternal.
 
~ Amen.~

CATECHESIS BY ROSARY


Picture source


by Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.



At Fatima, as at Lourdes before, Our Lady prayed the rosary with the seers and taught them how to do so devoutly.

          Consider the rosary as a catechetical tool.  This thought arises from many bishops and lay catechists and all the religious and lay educator groups in between.

          Religious educators and parents often comment that many today – youth and adults – are lacking in Christian formation.  A certain religious illiteracy has infiltrated the family, school, and society in general.  Children especially lack a strong basic understanding of fundamentals of our faith and of how to pray.  The challenge is clear for catechists at all age levels.  In addition, we must remember that faith and virtue are caught more than taught.  We must model what we teach.  We must echo Christ; resound faith, hope, and charity by walking the talk.

          Catechists and parents often seek new methods, programs, and books of religious instruction, and we are at a loss for knowing any.  But one sure-fired and time-tested method is centuries old, tried and true, and easy to handle – the rosary.

          If youngsters and adults learn the rosary, they are learning the basics of the Christian faith as well as learning how to pray.  They would know from memory the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be – the latter three lifted literally from the Gospel.  By praying the rosary they would be reviewing the fundamental truths handed on by Jesus and practicing the art of praying.  By teaching the rosary we help others to learn that prayer is simple, Biblical, done in union with our Mother Mary, and leads us to become absorbed in the mysteries of the life of Christ and of salvation history.

          To know how to pray the twenty mysteries of the rosary means that we know the basics about the life of Jesus and his teachings – his life, passion, death, resurrection, and ascension; the meaning of Jesus’ Incarnation and Redemption.  This challenges us to ponder what these mysteries mean for us today.   In reality the rosary is a compendium of the Gospel; it is the Gospel strung on beads.

          The rosary is not a panacea; it does not solve all the challenges of catechesis and faith formation.  But it is one effective catechetical tool for teaching and praying.  In the past noted saints and teachers have utilized it successfully.  It worked for St. Dominic and his companions in combating the Albigensian heresy in his day.

          Let’s try again.

Prayer from the Legion of Mary Tessera

Picture source

Confer, O Lord, on us, 
who serve beneath the stand of Mary  
that fullness of faith in you and trust in her, 
to which it is given to conquer the world.  
Grant us a lively faith, 
animated by charity, 
which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of you, 
and ever to see you and serve you in our neighbour; 
a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, 
through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils, and disappointments of life; 
a courageous faith which will inspire us 
to undertake and carry out without hesitation 
great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls; 
a faith which will be our Legion's Pillar of Fire - 
to lead us forth united - 
to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love 
- to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death 
- to inflame those who are lukewarm
 - to bring back life to those who are dead in sin; 
and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; 
so that - the battle of life over 
- our Legion may reassemble, 
without the loss of any one, in the kingdom of your love and glory.  Amen.

Friday, October 26, 2012

healing through St. Martin De Porres' intercession

This old Peruvian holy card belonged to my dear father.
Mahalo Mary Jane!


During his life, St. Martin De Porres was a power intercessor for sick people whom he cared for; many were healed. http://www.martindeporres.org/about.htm

Last year, I prayed a novena to St Martin De Porres asking for his intercession for the constant pain above my right knee, lasting almost a year. My doctor did not provide relief, neither did the chiropractor.  Unless I stayed off of it or put ice on several times a day, the pain was there. During the time of praying the novena, I was seeing a physical/massage therapist.  As I entered the office for a weekly visit, she noticed the way I was walking. It was determined that one leg was one quarter of an inch shorter.  She prescribed a heel lift and the pain ceased!

NOVENA TO
SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES


Feast is November 3.  Start Friday Oct. 26, for 9 days in a row, say:


Saint Martin de Porres, 
your concern and charity embraced 
not only your needy brethren, 
but also the animals of the field.
You are a splendid example of charity; 
we thank and praise you. 
From above, 
hear the requests of your needy brethern.

(Mention your request here...)

By modelling our lives after yours, 
and imitating your virtues, 
may we live content knowing that 
God has looked favourably upon us. 
Because this is so, 
we can accept our burdens 
with strength and courage 
in order to follow 
in the footsteps of our Lord 
and the Blessed Mother.

May we reach the Kingdom of Heaven 
through the intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Prayer to St. Joan of Arc for Our Nation - Start Today

by Jean Auguste Dominque Ingres

Picture source

Mahalo to Mary Jane!
We urge you to pray the following "Prayer to St. Joan of Arc for our spiritually embattled Nation", especially over the next two weeks. . Make copies and pass them out to friends and neighbors. Ask your Pastor to include the prayer in your Sunday bulletin.

Prayer to St. Joan of Arc for Our Nation

 Dear St. Joan of Arc, you who led the armies of France to victory when called by God to save your land from the domination of foreign aggressors, we call upon you now that the courage and strength you showed in rallying the French troops may inspire courage and strength in the people of the United States to oppose any and all attempts to undermine our democracy and erode our liberties as a free people.

Please, St. Joan of Arc, invoke the assistance of the holy ones whom God sent to call you to action: St. Margaret, St. Catherine and the Archangel Michael. With your intercession and the prayers of these saints, may the Holy Spirit pour forth on our people the gift of wisdom and knowledge of the truth, that the leaders we choose will serve the sacred cause of life, freedom of conscience and deliverance of our country from the prevailing forces of death, darkness and lies.

We thank you for hearing our prayer and we beg you to inspire us to be warriors in the defense of life, light and justice as the Spirit of God inspired you so long ago.

St. Joan of Arc, defend us!
St. Joan of Arc, pray for us!
St. Joan of Arc, lead us to victory!

Amen.
May God bless you and keep you safe all the days of your life.
Bob Sanders, for
Father John Hampsch, cmf
Claretian Teaching Ministry
20610 Manhattan Pl.
Torrance, California 90501-1863

Meet Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, soon to be the youngest Cardinal in the Church


The Syro Malankara Church in India is in full communion with Rome.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Learn a Little about Our New Saints

Mother Angelica Classic - Politics and the Danger of Halloween




Mother Angelica Live Classic - 1992-10-27- Pumpkins and Politics

You've Waited All Year! Join Us for EWTN's Annual All Saints' Day Marathon!


EWTN presents "Saint Gianna Beretta Molla - A Modern Day Hero of Divine Love." Part of EWTN's All Saints Day marathon, this half-hour program covers St. Gianna's parents' background, her 1930s childhood in Italy, and her later role as a physician, wife and mother. Airs 9:30 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 1. For more information on all the programs airing that day, please go to www.ewtn.com.

Exclusively on EWTN: "St. Giuseppe Moscati - Doctor of the Poor" - This movie is part of EWTN's All Saints' Day marathon! Part 1, which airs at 3 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 1 tugs at your heartstrings as you experience the struggles of the poor and homeless in Naples in the early 20th Century during a time of great inequality and poverty. In Part 2, which airs at 4:30 p.m. ET the same day, you'll become one with St. Giuseppe, who dedicated himself to caring for the sick and forsaken, ultimately dedicating all of his possessions to the poor and sacrificing his very life in their service. For more information on EWTN's All Saints' Day marathon programming, please go to www.ewtn.com.

Discover "Narcisa De Jesus," a saint who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, in a program by the same name. This half-hour documentary explores the life and spirituality of this laywoman, who lived a life of intense prayer, austerity, and mortification. Airs 11 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 1 - exclusively on EWTN. For more information on EWTN's All Saints' Day marathon programming, please go towww.ewtn.com.

All Saints Day for Kids! Join the "All Saints Celebration with Fr. Fox & Friends."Help your little ones understand this great feast day as they listen to Fr. Fox discussing the lives of various saints and view other children dressed up as their favorite saint. Airs 6 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 1 - exclusively on EWTN. For more information on EWTN's All Saints Day marathon programming, please go to www.ewtn.com.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Blessed John XXIII - The School of Jesus

Picture source via Pinterest.

Even as a young boy in the seminary, Pope John XXIII tried to love God with all his heart and soul.  The following is from an entry he made before starting his vacation:

"In the vacation there are no more classes in science or literature, but in the Blessed Sacrament a heavenly school is open to me, with the best Teacher one can possibly imagine, Jesus Christ himself. And the two chief subjects taught in this school are:  humility and love.

So I will go to the school of Jesus; there I will learn to be always humble and loving. May God and the most holy Virgin help me and make me worthy to listen to these divine lessons and to learn from the.  The former students, my models, are the saints, my fellow students are those just souls who live only to serve the honour of God and to extend the boundaries of the kingdom of Jesus Christ...."

July 19th, Tuesday - Journal of a Soul

Monday, October 22, 2012

Feast of Blessed Pope John Paul II


Picture source


Litany to Blessed John Paul II

Kyrie eleison; Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison; Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison; Kyrie eleison
Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
Blessed John Paul II, pray for us
Perfect disciple of Christ, pray for us
Generously gifted with the gifts of the Holy Spirit; pray for us
Great apostle of Divine Mercy; pray for us
Faithful Son of Mary; pray for us
Totally dedicated to the Mother of God; pray for us
Persevering preacher of the Gospel; pray for us
Pilgrim Pope; pray for us
Pope of the Millennium; pray for us
Model of industry; pray for us
Model of priests; pray for us
Drawing strength from the Eucharist; pray for us
Untiring man of prayer; pray for us
Lover of the rosary; pray for us
Strength of those doubting their faith; pray for us
Desiring to unite all those who believe in Christ; pray for us
Converter of sinners; pray for us
Defender of the dignity of every person; pray for us
Defender of life from conception to natural death; pray for us
Praying for the gift of parenthood for the infertile; pray for us
Friend of children; pray for us
Leader of youth; pray for us
Intercessor of families, pray for us
Comforter of the suffering; pray for us
Manly bearing his pain; pray for us
Sower of divine joy; pray for us
Great intercessor for peace; pray for us
Pride of the Polish nation; pray for us
Brilliance of the Holy Church; pray for us
That we may be faithful imitators of Christ; pray for us
That we may be strong with the power of the Holy Spirit; pray
for us
That we may have trust in the Mother of God; pray for us
That we may grow in our faith, hope, and charity; pray for us
That we may live in peace in our families; pray for us
That we may know how to forgive; pray for us
That we may know how to bear suffering; pray for us
That we may not succumb to the culture of death; pray for us
That we may not be afraid and courageously fight off various
temptations; pray for us
That he would intercede for us the grace of a happy death; pray
for us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O
Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, graciously
hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy
on us
Pray for us, Blessed John Paul II, That we
may become worthy of the promises of Christ

PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF
BLESSED JOHN PAUL II

O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the
Church with Blessed Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness
of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the
splendor of the Holy Spirit to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the
maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the
necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession, and according to your
will the graces we implore, especially for 
[ PAUSE TO ADD
YOUR INTENTIONS ] 
. . . we ask this, hoping that he will soon
be numbered among your saints. AMEN

Mahalo to Mary Jane for sharing the foregoing.