Monday, April 19, 2010

Happy Anniversary Holy Father!

Today, April 19, is the anniversary of the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the office of Bishop of Rome, where he took the name Benedict XVI. Let us pray for his health, safety, protection and for his intentions. Here is a traditional prayer for the Pope:

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict.
R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and bless him upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Let us pray.
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Novena for our Bishops

It seems that our bishops need some help defending their flock from wayward clergy. I am suggesting the Novena for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, found here, to be prayed for our bishops that they may find the fortitude needed to do what needs to be done to protect the laity. Please join me.

The daily prayers below are followed by the prayers for the specific day, which are found at the above link. (the prayers are from EWTN)


ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT


On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Show support for Pope Benedict

If you love and support our Pope, go here and sign the petition.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Alleluia, He is Risen!

Easter Blessings to one and all! He is risen. He is our hope. Because Jesus has risen we have no need to fear death, or this life. Because of Him, this life has meaning. Because of Him we have a new life to look forward to after this one. Let's make this one the best one we can, and even then, our eternal life will be even better and beyond our imagination.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

He took our place

Here is one of those emails that goes around every once in awhile, that is, I think, appropriate for this Holy Saturday. It makes me think about Jesus, but also about myself. While I have not said what the people in this story do, I have thought it-- not a very welcoming thought towards a stranger, is it?


One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, 'I always park there! You took my place!' The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, 'That's my seat! You took my place!' The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, 'That's where I always sit! You took my place!' The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still he said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.


Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, 'What happened to you?'

As his hat became a crown of thorns and a tear fell from his eye, the visitor replied,
"I took your place."


This is something to remember every day-- Jesus took our place. He took my place and he took your place. He paid a debt we could never, ever pay on our own. And he did something most of us could never do-- he suffered for us. It's hard enough to suffer for ourselves, let alone someone else. Let us take some time this Holy Saturday and say "Thank You, Jesus!"

May you have a blessed Holy Saturday.